RSPB St Aidan's is home to hundreds of species, many of which are rare, but one in particular which is very special indeed.
Certain species of bird are so sensitive and rare that their location isn't disclosed in order to protect them (Schedule 1). However, if you've been interested in birdwatching in Yorkshire for over a fortnight, you've probably heard about our black necked grebes. They are all over social media, birding forums and now TV, so now their biggest threat is actually unintentional disturbance. We're making a song and dance about these superb birds to help protect them.
Credit: Bob Howe
Black necked grebes don't nest in the UK very often. It's estimated that on 40 pairs nest in the whole of the UK - St. Aidan's had 10 last year. To put this into perspective, there are 13,000 pairs of grey herons!
Black necked grebes usually arrive in the UK in April, already paired up or find a mate straight away. They display to one another just like great crested grebes, raising themselves vertically out of the water and 'dancing' - although seen much less than other grebe species.
Courtship - Irene Swift
After mating, they build floating discs of reeds as nests, particularly in colonies of black headed gulls. That's why, if you visit St. Aidan's, we're extremely welcoming of the gull colony. Without the colony, the blacked grebes would have a much less protected place to nest. When a predator arrives, the gulls act as an alarm system, telling the grebes it's time to hide their chicks.
Black headed gull - Alan Coe
They incubate for around three weeks, and once their eggs have hatched the adults split parenting duties. Each adult will take one or two chicks on their back, carries them and teaches them how to feed.
Parents feeding young - Joe Seymour
How are they doing this year?
Wardens completed the first round of breeding bird surveys in May and counted 11 territories belonging to 11 pairs. They are being monitored weekly and are now raising their chicks - exact numbers we cannot be sure as after young have fledged, the birds keep very well hidden.
What can you do to help the grebe families thrive?
We're calling all visitors to help the black necked grebe population at St. Aidan's.
Walkers, photographers, pooch owners, horse riders, whoever you are, please stay on the paths and out of the water. We know no-one would intentionally harm these birds, but they are very sensitive to disturbance. It only takes fear for a pair to abandon their nests & chicks for safety.
For tips on the best place to spot the black necked grebes, please ask in the visitor centre on arrival (open daily 9am to 5pm)
Dogs and owners, we want you to have a fabulous time. We've designated all of Bowers lake and all of the visitor centre hillside as a place to play ball, run around and paddle off lead.