Restored wetland becomes haven for rare birds

A restored wetland in Cheshire is now home to almost two-thirds of the UK's breeding black-necked grebes, one of the country's rarest breeding birds.

Woolston Eyes, near Warrington, was previously a dumping ground for dredging from the Manchester Ship Canal. It is now the site of the country's largest colony of the species.

Black-necked grebes are known for their distinctive golden facial tufts and average about 55 breeding pairs in the UK each year, according to the RSPB.

"It is fantastic to see black-necked grebe numbers increasing at Woolston Eyes," RSPB ecologist Gavin Thomas said. "The rapid growth in numbers shows how effective targeted conservation action can be."

Since 2021, Woolston Eyes has been transformed from a former dredging site into a network of freshwater pools and reedbeds.

Black-necked grebes were already breeding on a nearby wetland when four pairs nested on the newly restored site in 2023, successfully raising 15 young.

By 2025, the RSPB had recorded 35 breeding pairs across the reserve - with 29 nesting in the newly restored wetland area.

Robin Horner, from the RSPB, described the growth in numbers as "pretty amazing".

"This spring they had over 60 birds present on site," he said.

"It doesn't sound a lot but when you consider how scarce it is in the UK it's pretty amazing.

"It's one of those real success stories where industry and wildlife can actually work together."

Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.