Bird Watching or Twitching in Andalucia Southern Spain

April 2007, Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus

Making its proud and stately way through the water with its head held high, ever alert, looking sharply from right to left and back again, the great crested grebe has a distinctive stance. When it opens its crest around the head it is unmistakeable. There are at least two pairs on the lagoon at El Acebuche in the Doñana, this one was spotted on the 12th March. Although not rare they are quite shy and tend to be heard rather than seen. Their call is a sharp, chattering kek-kek-kek sound during displays.