Navigation for Our Changing World

Lake Wanaka's grebes

When John Darby began building floating nest platforms for the local grebe population at Lake Wanaka's marina he had no idea how successful it would become. With 76 chicks fledged in just 3 years, the birds have become a local tourist attraction.

Grebe incubating eggs on a floating nest platform photo Alison Ballance

Grebe on nest platform with one egg visible photo Alison Ballance

John Darby at Wanaka marina with the Southern Alps in the background photo Alison Ballance

Grebe pair: the right hand bird has a feather in its bill to feed to the chicks on its back (just visible as black and white striped fuzzballs )photo Alison Ballance

Grebe pair: the right hand bird has a feather in its bill that it is feeding to the chicks riding on its back photo Alison Ballance

Grebe swimming near nest with 4 eggs photo Alison Ballance

Grebe pair: female is incubating eggs while her mate is swimming nearby photo Alison Ballance

Floating grebe nest platform: the nest rises and falls as the floating marina moves up and down photo Alison Ballance

John Darby in front of the Lake Wanaka marina photo Alison Ballance

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.