Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
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Distribution Britain 1,275 (-6.6%) Ireland 336 (-34.4%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 7,500 Ireland 4,500 European status: 80,000 (15% in Britain and Ireland =1) British population trend: increasing (+83% WBS) How likely are you to record it? 100 squares (2.2%) Ranked 104 [93=] |
These birds live in areas with thick vegetation growing in water — flowing or static. They are at risk from cold winters when the water may freeze. It is clear they have occupied much of Scotland for the first time in the last few decades and some are now found in northern Caithness and on Orkney, but not Shetland. The trend from the WBS is not significant and the recorded loss, from the Atlas data, from Ireland is worrying. Global warming may be a good thing for these birds but the spread of the feral mink is a real worry. On balance the next few years may be good for the Little Grebe.
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead