Red-necked grebes are scarce winter visitors to UK coastal waters from Scandinavian breeding grounds, with welfare affected by weather events and food availability.
Red-necked grebe welfare during UK winters depends on access to fish-rich sheltered coastal waters. Hard weather influxes bring birds that are often in poor condition from extended exposure during cold spells. Grounded grebes unable to take off from land (as they need water for take-off) are a regular casualty during cold weather. Oiled grebes from shipping pollution are found during winter months. Disturbance from boat traffic and water sports repeatedly flushes birds from feeding areas. The UK's sheltered estuaries and coastal bays serve as critical wintering refuges, and maintaining their ecological quality supports this and many other wintering waterbird species.