Slavonian Grebe

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Highland lochs (summer).
Diet: Insects, small fish.
Best time to spot: Golden ear-tufts in summer.

When to look

A winter visitor, typically in the UK from October through to March. Numbers peak in January. See the January birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

How rare is it?

The Slavonian Grebe sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Slavonian Grebe is on the list:

• Islay

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Black-necked GrebeRare · Reservoirs
• Red-necked GrebeRare · Coastal seas (winter)
• Great Crested GrebeCommon · Lakes
• Black-throated DiverRare · Highland lochs (summer)
• OspreyRare · Lochs
• Red-throated DiverUncommon · Lochs (summer); coast (winter)

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