12th July - Black necked Grebes continue to do well and on 6th July a total of 15 adults and 13 young were found. This included a new brood (the 8th) of 2 tiny young. On 11th July, 12 adults and 10 young were found, the latter now getting quite big.

Two major concerns are the rapidly falling water levels and as it will be at least another 2-3 weeks before the majority of young fledge we can only hope for rain to begin to replenish the pools. The other concern is the behaviour of a rogue Lesser Black-backed Gull. This bird has been seen on many occasions taking and eating many waterfowl young and on 3rd July was seen eating a Black necked Grebe chick!

23rd June - After a very quiet spell with relatively few sightings a brood of 3 small young was found on the 16th June. Since then they have appeared with some regularity. On 22nd June, 5 broods were present: one of 4 young (the first ever brood of 4 at Woolston), one of 3 young and 3 broods each of 2 young, a grand total of 13 young. Up to 11 adults have also been seen.

12th May - Black-necked grebes have finally begun to increase with up to 17 now present.

21 April - On 19th April 10 Black-necked Grebes were seen on No3 bed and at least 9 were present today.

10 April - A report has been received today of 8 Black-necked Grebe, on No.3 Bed.

3 April - At long last Black-necked Grebe have returned with 3 on No3 bed this morning. We hope this is the start of the usual build up.

26 March - at present there have been no sightings but at least one bird was seen on and off between 18th and 21st March at nearby Houghton Green Pool.


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