Kathy,

All grebes nest on fresh water. In winter you will find them on salt water as well. There shouldn't be a problem with them being present on Lake Sammamish. As long as the lake doesn't freeze over, they should be fine.

I assume that you are not actually observing concentrations of dead grebes on Lake Sammamish, right?

During my studies of Pied-billed Grebes on Seattle's Green Lake it always amazed me how the grebes would clear out of the lake a few days before ice formed. Given their heavy wing loading and need for a long running start before getting airborne, grebes would be in danger of getting stuck unless they leave the lake before their open-water-runway has vanished.

Given that long running start, I find it even more amazing to see Pied-bills use some of the ponds at Montlake Fill. Some of those rather small ponds are surrounded by trees/shrubs that require a steep ascent. Given that grebes mostly fly at night, I guess getting my hands on some night vision goggles and spending nights observing at the ponds would be the only way to find out how they do it..... I know that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Just pondering.....

Martin Muller, Seattle
martinmuller at msn.com<mailto:martinmuller at msn.com>