A few days ago I saw two Pied-billed Grebes doing a courtship dance at Salem Lake in Forsyth County. This was the first time I had seen this behavior for that species, and it was similar but less extravagant than the energetic courtship dance of the Western and Clark's Grebes that are commonly seen on nature shows. The two grebes faced each other, stretched out their necks, appeared to lift out of the water, and then kind of fluttered while staring past each other in opposite directions. It lasted about 20 seconds.
So, it seems likely that this was just a bit of pre-migration early season preparation for later courtship at their actual nest site up north somewhere, but I was curious how often this happens here in NC, because of many hundreds of grebes I've seen at all seasons I've never seen it before here. Have any of you witnessed this? If so can you remember where and when?
