A CONSERVATION project is giving one of the UK’s rarest birds a new home to thrive.
Black-necked grebes have found success at Woolston Eyes, with 35 breeding pairs recorded in 2025 - representing 64 per cent of the UK’s population.
The wetland site, located near Warrington in Cheshire, is now the most important breeding ground for the species in the country.
The birds’ recovery is the result of a restoration project led by the RSPB and the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group, which aimed to rehabilitate and enhance wetland habitats for wildlife.
Gavin Thomas, ecologist at the RSPB, said: "It is fantastic to see Black-necked Grebe numbers increasing at Woolston Eyes thanks to the hard work of staff, volunteers and partners to create prime habitat for this rare and attractive species.
"The rapid growth in numbers shows how effective targeted conservation action can be and is a great example of nature thriving when it is given a chance."
Black-necked grebes are rarely found in the UK, with only around 54 breeding pairs recorded on average each year.
These secretive birds prefer reedbeds and freshwater wetlands, where they build floating nests and perform distinctive courtship displays.
Woolston Eyes, now a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), was once a neglected site used for Manchester Ship Canal dredgings.
Through collaborative conservation efforts, it has been transformed into a mosaic of pools, reedbeds, and grassland supporting a range of wildlife.
In 2021, the RSPB began restoring a dried-out lagoon on the site.
The project involved clearing overgrown vegetation, removing nutrient-rich topsoil, and constructing embankments to create shallow pools and nesting islands.
The work was designed to attract black-headed gulls, whose colonies offer protection to nesting grebes.
Before the restoration, grebes were already breeding nearby.
Four pairs nested on the new site in 2023, successfully raising 15 chicks.
In 2025, 29 of the 35 breeding pairs used the restored wetland.
"Seeing the number of Black-necked Grebes continuing to increase at Woolston Eyes makes all the hard work worthwhile," Gavin added.
"It demonstrates that restoring and managing wetlands is vital for species recovery, but we absolutely need to scale this up and deliver far more sites like Woolston throughout the UK."
Woolston Eyes remains dependent on rainfall to maintain water levels, which are carefully managed to keep conditions suitable for grebes and other wildlife.
To visit Woolston Eyes requires both an annual permit and a key to the access barriers and gates, available for a small annual fee via the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group website.
It is open from 8 am to 8 pm in summer, and from 8 am to 4 pm in winter.
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