Before I left for Colorado on July 7, I reported on a PBGRs nest on Phantom
Lake. I had hoped the eggs would hatch before I left, but that didn't happen.
A friend kept a daily check on their progress and e-mailed me reports. I
didn't return until late July 29. When I checked my e-mail, I found the
following reports which I thought you might be interested in seeing.

July 8: Went to the lake at about 10:00 this morning just as one of the
grebes was leaving the nest. When it got up, I could see three eggs and a
baby bird! Finally! I watched the nest for the next hour. The adults
seemed to be changing places more often--every 10 to 15 minutes--and they
spent quite a bit of time working on the nest--adding to it and rearranging
material. The baby spent most of its time trying to stay on its parent's
back or under its wing. Very cute. During this time I only saw an adult
give the baby food once, but the nest is very hidden and difficult to see.

At about 11:00, the adult sitting on the nest became very busy with the eggs.
Then it stood up and I saw a head poking out one of them. Wow!!! The adult
seemed to be helping the new baby with the egg, and a couple of minutes later
it picked up the empty shell and swam off with it. I had to make a trip to
the airport, but on my way home I stopped by again--about 2:00pm. Still saw
only two babies and there were still eggs on the nest.

July 10: Checked out the nest yesterday and there were still only two chicks
and I could see at least one egg. When I went by this morning there were
three babies. The adults are still sitting on the nest as if there were more
eggs to hatch.

On July 11 we checked the nest and could still see only three chicks, but
last evening we counted four (July 12). The adults are still staying on the
nest, although last night they left the chicks alone for a couple of minutes.

That is the last report I received.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at aol.com