Grebe with offspring

The great crested grebe (podiceps cristatus) is easily encountered at many wetland sites in Europe. They breed on lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and slow moving rivers. Particularly large wintering concentrations (over 20000 birds) occur on the IJsselmeer (Holland), the Swiss Lakes and the Black Sea. Over 1000 pairs breed at Lake Neuchatel (Switzerland). This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate hats. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect this species, which is again common. Visit WWW.STOCKSHOT.NL for highres version or broadcast video footage. More birdlife available!