: Non-breeding. mid Jun-late Jul. Could occur anywhere on salt water.
: Complex. but in favored locales. The first ones appear early Aug and settle in the upper reaches of Frenchman Bay and Blue Hill Bay where they molt (see below). Otherwise the species occurs mid Oct-mid Apr with dwindling numbers to mid May and early Jun. The water between Sand Beach and Old Soaker is a favored area. Red-necked Grebes are rarely seen in flight as movement takes place mostly at night making separation of migrants from residents all but impossible. There are no records from fresh water.
Miscellany: The late birds are ‘molt migrants', a term applied to birds who leave their breeding grounds for a specific destination where they undergo molt, presumably in more favorable conditions. Once they acquire new feathers, often six to eight weeks later, they continue their migration. Our birds are thought to come from the eastern part of the species' breeding range in Quebec and eastern Ontario.
Last Reviewed: July 23rd, 2026