It has been a slow and late start to the breeding season for the famed local southern crested grebes (pūteketeke) near Lake Wānaka Marina.

It isn’t entirely clear why fewer eggs than usual have hatched so far, Southern Lakes Sanctuary representative/Grebe Project representative Petrina Duncan told the Wānaka App.

“It is likely that the spring weather played a role,” she said.

The rain, late snow, wind and storms could have affected the grebes, which “seem to be quite sensitive to dramatic changes” in weather.

As well as that, grebes may be nesting away from the man-made nesting platforms, she said.

“It is possible with higher lake levels that some grebes are making 'natural nests' around the lake shore in other areas.”

Petrina said while the start of the season hadn’t been the best, the hatching of the first egg on Wednesday (December 4) was an encouraging sign.

There are another six active nests, she added.

A group of dedicated local volunteers, known as the Grebe Project, keep a close watch on the grebes throughout the breeding season.

The Grebe Project began in 2013 when retired zoologist John Darby observed a pair of the grebes struggling to build a floating nest on the edge of Lake Wānaka. 

Because strong winds and ever-changing lake conditions made it difficult for them to build nests, John came up with a design solution: a floating wooden platform for the birds to nest on.

Ten years on, many more floating platforms have been constructed in the sheltered area near the marina, supporting breeding, and the Grebe Project has expanded to include awareness and advocacy for the conservation of these native birds.

Keep up to date with the Grebe Project and this season’s hatchings at the Facebook page here.

PHOTO: P Duncan