Woolston Eyes wetland restoration supports rare black-necked grebe population

The restored Woolston Eyes wetland in Cheshire has become a primary habitat for the rare black-necked grebe, hosting 64% of the breeding population in Britain. Formerly a dumping ground for dredgings from the Manchester Ship Canal, the site has been transformed since 2021 into a mosaic of freshwater pools, reedbeds, willow scrub, and rough grassland.

Managed by the RSPB and the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group, the restoration involved reviving dried-out settlement lagoons and creating nesting islands. These islands were designed to attract black-headed gulls, which provide protection from predators for the nesting grebes. The project has seen significant growth in bird numbers: in 2023, four pairs bred on the restored area, whereas by 2025, 35 pairs were recorded, with 29 nesting in the new wetland.

The Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Warrington also supports other rare species, including the willow tit, pochard, and grasshopper warbler. Conservation efforts include rotating water levels to refresh the habitat, as the grebes require specific wetland maturity levels to thrive.