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four grebe species at HBSP in SC



Friday, 9 March, was an exceptional day for grebes at Huntington Beach
State Park on the SC coast.  Along with the expected Pied-billed Grebes in
the causeway pond and several Horned Grebes in the ocean near the jetty, we
saw a Red-necked Grebe and an Eared Grebe.

The Red-necked Grebe was seen by Jane Chew, Bing Somers, and Jim Edwards at
the end of the jetty at about 1:30 PM.  At first it was diving about half
way between the jetty's end and the buoy, but it obliged us with excellent
looks as it swam all the way in to the jetty.  (Several Horned Grebes were
also present, along with good numbers of both Common and Red-throated
Loons.)  The Eared Grebe was seen by Jane Chew and Jim Edwards about half
way to the jetty from the northern parking area at approx. 12:45 PM.  It
was actively diving close to shore in the rather small surf of an ebbing
tide.  Since it was several times swimming within 5 meters of a Horned
Grebe, good comparisons were possible.  Not only was there a clear
difference in overall size, the head shapes (triangular in the case of the
Eared; rounded on the Horned) and the bill shapes were easily seen.  They
complemented the standard field-guide differences in plumage we noted.
(Initial indications of the golden "ears" were already present, by the
way.)  We are confident of the identification.  (Just for reference: In
1987 Post and Gauthreaux listed the Eared Grebe as a "casual winter
visitor" and the Red-necked Grebe as a "rare winter visitor."  In 1993
Robin Carter called the Red-necked Grebe "rare in winter" and doesn't list
the Eared Grebe in his Species Accounts.)

Jim Edwards
jim.Edwards@furman.edu