Slavonian grebe numbers dwindling in Scotland

MYSTERY: Now research will be carried out to try to discover the cause of the bird's decline

Just 22 breeding pairs remain

August 2010: New research is hoping to shed light on the lives of one of Scotland's most mysterious birds. The Slavonian grebe only began breeding in the UK in 1908, in the Scottish Highlands; its population today remains restricted to northern Scotland where latest counts have shown only 22 breeding pairs remain, the lowest level since monitoring records began.

As a relative newcomer to the country, many aspects of the bird's behaviour remain unclear, but conservationists are hoping further study will identify what may be driving a decline in numbers.

Stuart Benn, RSPB Scotland's Conservation Officer for the South Highlands, said: ‘This striking species only began breeding in Scotland just over a century ago so we still have a lot to learn about its behaviour and its movements in the winter months.

‘What is clear is that while populations are thriving in Iceland and Norway, things aren't going so well here. It would be good to find out why that is and what things we, as conservationists, could be doing to turn around the fortunes of Scotland's Slavonian grebe population. To do this we'll need to focus our research on key areas such as the role of weather and climate, when and why chicks die and compare our results with other countries whose populations are faring well.'

Despite decrease it has been an excellent breeding season
Despite a worrying decrease in the UK population, 2010 has provided one of the best breeding seasons in recent years. A total of 17 chicks fledged this summer, six of these at RSPB Scotland's Loch Ruthven nature reserve which remains the best place in the UK to see breeding Slavonian grebes.

BREEDING SUCCESS: Seventeen chicks have fledged at the RSPB Scotland's Loch Ruthven RSPB  reserve

It is unclear exactly why after two years of no young, Loch Ruthven's breeding pairs were successful in 2010, but it is thought a drier and less windy or stormy spring may have helped. Nests are destroyed by waves, so excess wind or stormy conditions can be damaging.

Also this year, staff at the reserve have started introducing a range of conservation measures that they hope will make a difference to productivity among the local population.

As a relative newcomer to the country, many aspects of the bird's behaviour remain unclear, but conservationists are hoping further study will identify what may be driving a decline in numbers.

Stuart Benn, RSPB Scotland's Conservation Officer for the South Highlands, said: ‘This striking species only began breeding in Scotland just over a century ago so we still have a lot to learn about its behaviour and its movements in the winter months.

‘What is clear is that while populations are thriving in Iceland and Norway, things aren't going so well here. It would be good to find out why that is and what things we, as conservationists, could be doing to turn around the fortunes of Scotland's Slavonian grebe population. To do this we'll need to focus our research on key areas such as the role of weather and climate, when and why chicks die and compare our results with other countries whose populations are faring well.'