ML632593793

Observation details

Continuing wintering bird in the area, first found in December. Today it was between the Venice pier and the MdR north jetty, viewed from the pier with the sun behind me. I judged that it was halfway to the jetty, so about half a mile away. A dumpy and dingy grebe compared to the Aechmophorus grebes around, smaller with a shorter and relatively stouter neck, and lacking the crisp black and white patterning on the neck. The bird was dark grayish overall with some white on the front of the neck, but really too far to make out any color patterns. Much larger than Eared/Horned Grebes, with an oval shaped flat head, and a very robust thick and slightly downcurved bill.