The first pair of crested grebes to nest at Lake Hāwea have proved a success raising three chicks on their man-made nesting platform at the inlet beside the Lake Hāwea dam.

Last November, the grebes were spotted struggling to nest in windy conditions at the inlet and a man-made nesting platform was brought to the inlet by Wanaka grebe expert John Darby.

The birds immediately colonised the platform, as their original nest disintegrated, and produced four eggs of which three hatched resulting in three lively chicks.

Last week Amie Capell, a member of the Guardians of Lake Hāwea who has been watching out for the young family, said she had witnessed the chicks learning water skills.

“The chicks are growing very fast. They have left their platform and when I spotted them two days ago (January 4), it looked as though they were getting some diving practice in.”

The chicks are growing strongly and have been witnessed practising diving.

While crested grebes have been identified on Lake Hāwea in the past, particularly near The Neck, this was the first time a breeding pair had built a nest, Amie said.

“They all seem to be pretty unfazed by the increase in lake activity at the moment as well,” she said.

“So all up we are thrilled with the first assisted nesting attempt on Lake Hāwea” she said. 

Amie said this first assisted nesting couldn’t have been achieved without the advice, support and expertise of John Darby. 

The Hāwea community has also been very supportive and understanding. They’ve shown an interest but “given the birds the space they needed during the vital nesting and hatching period,” Amie said.

“Although the chicks are getting bigger and more independent by the day, and we have signs in place to inform the public of the birds presence, we still ask that people continue to give the birds space, and keep watercraft speeds down when they are around the birds.”

A second nesting platform has been installed at The Neck, as there have been numerous sightings of grebes up there. 

“Although the platform has remained empty, we hope that in the future we may see birds nesting up there as well,” Amie said.

The new Lake Hāwea family is particularly good news as the nesting success rate for the local grebe population this season has been badly affected by poor conditions.

John Darby has been monitoring the local southern crested grebe population for years. He said this season has been a bit of a disaster in Wanaka. He had been monitoring eight pairs with eggs successfully nesting at the marina but their nests were destroyed by gale force winds in November.

Southern crested grebes are considered a rare and threatened species, found only in small populations on lakes in the South Island.

PHOTOS: Ian Turnbull