Great crested grebes breed on still and slow-moving freshwater bodies, with welfare challenges from recreational water sports disturbance during the breeding season.
Great crested grebes face welfare challenges from recreational water sports disturbance during the extended breeding season. Boats approaching nests cause adults to flee, leaving eggs exposed to cooling or overheating, and leaving chicks on a parent's back vulnerable to separation. The noise and wave action from motorboats can damage floating nests or wash eggs from the nest cup. Repeated disturbance causes chronic stress in breeding adults and can lead to nest abandonment. Chicks separated from parents by panic-diving adults face hypothermia and predation risk. The growing popularity of paddleboarding, kayaking, and open water swimming has increased disturbance pressure in some previously quiet areas.