Nesting Western Grebes

When I first moved to San Diego I was surprised to find Western Grebe chicks in December. Evidently winter nesting is not too unheard of here. However, a recent visit to Lake Hodges this spring revealed much nesting activity at what I consider a more appropriate time of year.

Lake Hodges, April 26, 2017.

Western Grebe with chicks.

In 45 years of birding I had actually never seen the well-known phenomenon of grebe chicks riding upon their parent's backs!

Western Grebes on nests.

Clark's Grebe.

Cliff Swallow nestlings

Cliff Swallow nestlings. Carlsbad, California. June 8, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Here's a close-up of two Cliff Swallow nestlings peeking from their mud nest under the eaves.

This is called an adherent nest, as it adheres to a vertical face, such as a wall or cliff. How many hundreds of mouthfuls of mud did the parents use to build this nest? The local San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy website has my answer: 900-1200 pellets.

These fully-feathered nestlings are probably capable of flight. But it's so much easier to stay home and be fed by your parents than set out on your own.