The Wintereing Grebes of Pacific Grove

We have reported earlier about the Western Grebes that winter along the shore at Pacific Grove. During the past few months we have seen the group of about 60 grebes "rafted" together. A few days ago the population had decreased to 17 individuals.

The group has stayed in the same location all winter - never moving more than 100 meters from their usual location - sometimes closer to shore and other times further out. This day they were quite far off shore. Here we show seven of the group relatively close together.

This one Western Grebe seemed quite unconcerned as a Pelagic Cormorant come in for a landing within the group. Although aware, the grebe apparently never sensed any particular danger.

Then, a few minutes later, the grebe and the cormorant were peacfully sharing their safe location offshore. The grebe continues grooming while another remains on watch.

We expect the majority of the wintering group have gone inland to their usual nesting locations. An important one is at Lake San Antonio about 120 miles South East of our Monterey Bay location. We hope to get there this Spring to see if we can observe their unique courting display which we have never observed here in their wintering ocean location.