Keeping watch on the fiery eyes

摘要

This month, one of our rarest waterbirds arrives back at its favourite British breeding site. There were few signs of spring in this northern land. It was late March, a day with bright, intense sunshine only hinting at the warmth of summer. The lake, reflecting the cloudless blue sky, was chafed by a cool north wind. The reed fringe swayed, and rafts of duck and coot sheltered in the lee of the island. Almost hidden among them was another group of distinctive little birds. After months of anticipation, I was witnessing the seasonal gathering - the homecoming - of the black-necked grebes Podiceps nigricollis, and I felt exhilarated about the prospect of another summer with the 'Fiery Eyes' - their old country name. They are rarely seen in flight, and no one sees their arrival here, they just suddenly appear, giving rise to speculation that they migrate under cover of darkness. One of our rarest breeding water birds, blacknecked grebes are colonial breeders and here are at the north-west peripheryof their western Palearctic range. Very little research has been carried out on them in Britain, and so many aspects of their lives are a mystery, especially away from their summer haunts.