ABSTRACT
The Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, is distributed over large parts of the paleartic, with extralimital races in Africa and in Australia and New Zealand. The census technique described is based on experience gained with national studies in Britain. The Great Crested Grebe is usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes in scattered parties, and occasionally, in winter, in loose parties. Breeding territories are normally exclusive, except when nest sites and food are abundant; colonial breeding does occur, but is exceptional. Breeding habitats are diverse: shallow lakes of any size are used (breeding density being dependent on the number of isolated habitats rather than area of open water); reservoirs, flooded excavations; canals, drainage channels, and, in recent years, increasingly on lowland rivers. The return to breeding sites normally starts at the end of February. Movements are largely complete by mid April, but continue into May, and some birds, possibly non-breeders, are still moving locally in June.
