Western Grebes are commonly seen up and down the coast of California and the western United States. The species (and the very similar but less common Clark’s Grebe) is migratory in that it moves in the spring and fall to breeding and wintering sites. But beyond that, the migratory patterns of the Western and Clarks Grebes are atypical to say the least. In the late spring, they’ll take off at night and fly to inland lakes where they breed, building nests on the water. They fly at night, so most people never see them in the air. One spring day they’re there; a few months later, they’re gone. Audubon California and three Audubon chapters have been partnering in recent years to protect nesting Western and Clark’s Grebes at four northern California lakes. Oh yeah, one of the coolest things about grebes is the elaborate courtship dance they perform in the water, which culminates in the birds running across the water together. It's totally amazing -- check it  out (more video below the fold, as well):

Here’s some video we shot not too long ago at Clear Lake, one of our project sites in California.

(photo of Western Grebes by Floyd Hayes)