(OK, so Tweeter's isn't for fun. Whatever. Anger can always be justified.
There is no excuse for rudeness. Debate can be civil, if we try.)

NOW! A question to those of you (who haven't unsubscribed in disgust) who
know a little bit about coastal fishes or other marine life suitable for
consumption by GREBES.

Last year at this time I observed flocks of HORNED and WESTERN GREBES in
Semiahmoo Bay (White Rock, BC). (separate flocks Horned Grebe flocks and
Western Grebe flocks) These flocks were swimming together in a fairly
tight group (more so than typical resting flocks) and DIVING TOGETHER. All
or nearly all the birds in the flock would dive nearly simultaneously, over
and over and over. The flocks also covered a lot of water, moving back and
forth across and underneath the water as if in pursuit of something. Last
weekend I saw this behavior again (really quite interesting to watch the
birds synchronize their behavior).

It would seem that these birds are following some sort of schooling fish
(or maybe some other type of organism?). Does anybody have any ideas about
what the grebes might be chasing? What kind of small fish would be
schooling in 5-16 m of water in late October and November?

I would also be interested to hear if anyone else has observed this
behavior in grebes or other diving birds.

Thanks!

Bonnie Stout
Burnaby, BC
bestout at sfu.ca





Bonnie Stout
Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
ph:(604)-294-9355
bestout at sfu.ca