Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe at Elterwater

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RussCannings
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Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe at Elterwater

Postby RussCannings » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:57 pm

Hi all,

I just noticed on http://rare.birds.org.nz/ that a Hoary-headed Grebe is being reported from Jan 12 on Lake Elterwater (Blenheim area).

Anyone know more about that? Maybe those birds stuck around after all... somewhere.

Russ C
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Steve Wood
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby Steve Wood » Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:46 am

Hi Russ,
I have just a had a report from Peter field that the Grebe was there on Friday 12th. seen from the platform. He includes a image not great but good enough to ID it.

Steve
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RussCannings
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby RussCannings » Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:13 pm

Thanks Steve,

For my sake I hope it sticks around for several more years... at least enough for my next visit south whenever that may be! They're awesome birds. I wonder where it's been hiding all this time?

Russ
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GKincaid
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby GKincaid » Tue Jan 23, 2018 4:30 pm

I visited Lake Elterwater around noon today. The Hoary-headed grebe eventually made an appearance. There were also 2 Great Crested Grebes. Some rather poor photos in this ebird checklist. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42171280

Glenn
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AlanShaw
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby AlanShaw » Thu Jan 25, 2018 8:59 pm

I visited Lake Elterwater today. Arrived approx. 08.10, with no sign of the Hoary-headed but 4 Southern Crested Grebes and 27 Royal Spoonbills. At about 09.30 three small grebes swam out from behind the leafy trees in front of and to the left of the platform. One was obviously a Hoary-headed in breeding plumage, but the other two looked rather thicker-necked in silhouette (bright sunlight from behind at this time of day). However, on studying my video footage, I am convinced these were also Hoary-headed. The only other possibility would seem to be two New Zealand Dabchick!
Obvious Hoary-headed(afternoon).jpg
Obvious Hoary (afternoon)
Obvious Hoary-headed(afternoon).jpg (225.74 KiB) Viewed 4965 times
Two more Hoary-headeds.jpg
Two more Hoarys?
Two more Hoary-headeds.jpg (122.86 KiB) Viewed 4965 times
Hoary-headed Grebe at Lake Elterwater, 25-01-18  (3) 900wide.jpg
Best Videograb (afternoon)
Hoary-headed Grebe at Lake Elterwater, 25-01-18 (3) 900wide.jpg (376.42 KiB) Viewed 4720 times
Last edited by AlanShaw on Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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sav
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby sav » Thu Jan 25, 2018 10:18 pm

Hi Alan and all,
Some visiting Finnish birders also saw one and "probably " 3 yesterday. I'd have thought your photos have to be Hoaries?
Cheers
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
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AlanShaw
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby AlanShaw » Thu Jan 25, 2018 10:32 pm

Those Finnish birders turned up today, 25th, but I doubt their photos will be any better than mine because of the light. I've not been able to rule out Dabchick but I'll try to upload the video for more comments. Note that one Dabchick was reported on ebird at Elterwater on 6th January![youtube]LUEM1UI5gJQ[/youtube]
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sav
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby sav » Thu Jan 25, 2018 10:46 pm

Hey Alan,
To my mind those birds in the video are unequivocally Hoary-headed. You South Island blokes (even those that live in Derbyshire!!) can be excused for not being familiar with NZ Grebe.

Hard to say 100% but what chance the Dabchick was one of these.
Cheers
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
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AlanShaw
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby AlanShaw » Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:54 am

OK sav, but I did see the pair of NZ Dabchicks which bred near Blenheim 2 years ago. They could possibly still be around (just like the Hoary-headed!)The birds in the video do seem to have white tips to their bills, which would make them Hoary-headed. The two birds were closely associating, whereas the obvious Hoary was some distance away. At 15.40 the obvious Hoary re-appeared in front of the platform, on its own, flew over to the far side and travelled south along that side. The two questionable birds were only seen for a few minutes in the morning and not again by 15.55. I hope someone manages to see them again, preferably in the afternoon when the light is better!
P.S. igor also reported a Dabchick at Elterwater on December 15th.
Last edited by AlanShaw on Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:57 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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AlanShaw
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Re: Jan 12--Hoary-headed Grebe reported at Elterwater

Postby AlanShaw » Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:29 am

Some better (edited) video of the obvious Hoary-headed Grebe, recorded (in good light) in the afternoon.[youtube]9D0EtU6Gflk[/youtube]
Last edited by AlanShaw on Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

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