Abstract

In February 2024, a Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena was found in Quendale Bay, Shetland. It appeared uncharacteristically long-billed, a feature suggestive of the North American subspecies ‘American Red-necked Grebe’ P. g. holbollii. Subsequently, the corpse of the bird was found on the tideline and and its identification as holbollii was confirmed by both biometrics and DNA. This is just the second record for Britain. This paper discusses this record, including its identification, as well as giving an overview of other records of this subspecies in Europe.