Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

 

The Great Crested Grebe is a common breeding species widespread over the southern part of the country. In September flocks and smaller groups are found on most lakes covered in the September counts. Most individuals leave the country during the winter but single individuals and small flocks are regularly found along the coasts of south Sweden.

In mild winters, flocks of several hundred individuals are regularly found on some coastal sites in southern Sweden, larger numbers sometimes also seen on inland lakes. Close to 3400 were counted at the country-wide survey in January 2004. At a more normal survey in January 2006, 2012 and 2013 more than 3000 were counted. In January 2007 1900 were counted, but many were probably dispersed on lakes that are normally frozen in January. The majority of the wintering Great Crested Grebes in Sweden are to be found in one flock in the Öresund, often staying quite far out being difficult to see from the shore in rough weather. At the country-wide surveys in 2004 and 2015 4300 and 2700 Great Crested Grebes were counted. As the species often stay far out at sea, numbers can be variable. At the midwinter counts in January 2017, when only the index-sites were covered no less than close to 9000 Great Crested Grebes were counted.

The September counts showed decreasing trends, whereas there was a significant increasing longterm trend in January. The overall increase for 1971-2019 was 11% per year, but the main increase was during the last twenty years. For the period 1987-2016, the Northwest European population increase with about 1% per year.

 

Great crested Grebe January 2015

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Page last updated 2021-02-09