Hi again, After sharing photos and discussing the two grebes that Jay and I saw at Twin Oaks Campground north of Union Springs, Cayuga County yesterday, several knowledgeable people have suggested that the paler bird is actually a hybrid Western x Clark's Grebe instead of a pure Western Grebe. This pale bird is either the same or very similar to the bird that has been hanging out on Cayuga Lake between Myers and Ithaca in Tompkins County. Honestly, I don't know enough about the limit of variation in Western Grebe or proven hybrids to feel confident either way, but the possibility of a hybrid should be seriously considered. It seems clear to me that the bird isn't a pure Clark's Grebe - the flanks seem dark for that, and perhaps more importantly, the bill is too dusky with dark on the top and bottom. However, the bird in question is obviously paler overall (flanks and face) with a slightly brighter bill than the "obvious", full-black-capped/ -faced, dull-billed Western present. I've added more photos to my Flickr page, online here: flickr.com/bonxie88 I'm sure there will be some more discussion on this - if anyone journeys up the lake to check the birds out, I'd recommend trying to get an audio recording of both birds. Jay and I heard the dark one calling, and it sounded like a normal Western Grebe; however, we didn't hear any vocalizations out of the pale grebe. Thanks - and good luck! Tom
-- Tom Johnson Hummelstown, PA [email protected] -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
