During the last week of August Rednecked Grebes gathered on the lake in groups, the young nearly as large as adults, their noisy sounds filled the night air. One morning I noticed they were gone, it happened overnight, and the lake became as silent as it was before they arrived in spring. After a few days I became aware of a single Grebe, swimming alone back and forth from our dock to the remains of the decaying nest. This bird was not aggressive toward the other ducks that frequented the cove, I often saw him feeding and swimming alongside them. Odd behavior, all summer the Grebes attacked any duck within 5′ of shore. Other ducks came, rested, and flew away, yet the Grebe remained until this week. I’ve searched carefully along the shore and across the open water with the spotting scope. No sign. I wonder, did he die? Or did he fly alone to find the others somewhere south, those who migrated more than a month ago. Something makes me want to believe he made it.
Gail Niebrugge, Artist
