Grebes in Tyne and Wear
5 species matching this filter.
Tyne and Wear's diverse waterways, reservoirs, and coastal habitats support five species of grebe, ranging from the commonly seen Little Grebe to scarcer visitors such as the Black-necked Grebe and Red-necked Grebe. The county's estuaries, urban parks with lakes, and stretches of coastline provide excellent opportunities to observe these elegant diving birds throughout the year. Notable sites include the Tyne estuary, Washington Wetland Centre, and the coastal waters off Whitley Bay, where wintering grebes can often be spotted.
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare breeding species, present from April to June on sheltered freshwater pools and lakes in the region.
Apr–Jun
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon resident on larger lakes and reservoirs, also moving to coastal waters in winter. Elegant courtship displays occur in spring.
Year-round
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted on coastal waters or reservoirs in February, typically in winter plumage.
Feb
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident on sheltered ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. Its whinnying trill is often heard before it is seen.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare autumn and early winter passage visitor, occasionally seen offshore or in sheltered coastal waters from September.
Sep–Dec