Two rare breeding birds have been spotted in Sussex this month, delighting local birdwatchers
15:45, 17 Dec 2025Updated 15:45, 17 Dec 2025
Two uncommon breeding birds have been observed in southern England this month.
The Sussex Ornithological Society has revealed the latest rare discoveries, with residents catching sight of two magnificent specimens at the start of December.
One individual encountered a Red-necked Grebe whilst another witnessed a Black-necked Grebe.
They reported: "Bird of the week should probably go to a Red-necked Grebe found on Monday on the Southwick Canal; it wasn't always easy to locate, but many people got to see it during its four-day stay."
Meanwhile, another observer encountered a Black-necked Grebe for the first time at Pagham Lagoon, in West Sussex, reports the Express.
A bird enthusiast commented: "A Black-necked Grebe was present all week on Pagham Lagoon."
The Red-necked Grebe is regarded as extremely uncommon in the UK, particularly throughout the winter period.
The Red-necked Grebe is listed as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern classifications owing to limited populations, with breeding sites kept confidential, making encounters an exceptionally special occasion for bird enthusiasts.
Wildlifetrusts described the red-necked grebe as "a scarce winter visitor to the UK", with modest numbers arriving from breeding grounds in Eastern Europe.
"They're most often seen in sheltered bays on the south and east coasts of England, up into eastern Scotland. Stormy weather can sometimes result in them turning up on inland wetlands. They dive for food, catching fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects."
A handful of birds will occasionally remain in the UK throughout summer, with breeding pairs even making nesting attempts on extremely rare occasions.
They usually require around two to four days to construct their nests.
"Like great crested grebes, they have an elaborate courtship display involving pairs meeting breast-to-breast and rising from the water, with lots of head shaking. As breeding red-necked grebes in the UK are so rare, the location of any pairs attempting to nest is kept secret to protect them from disturbance."
The Black-necked Grebe is similarly an exceptionally rare breeding species in the UK, classified as Amber on conservation registers, with merely around 50 pairs nesting, rendering it a scarce spectacle.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds clarified that the Black-necked Grebe remains uncommon in the UK owing to restricted habitat and dangers such as climate change, though it has been observed along the south coast during winter periods previously.
"This small Grebe has beautiful golden tufts of feathers on its face, contrasting with its black head and neck. Its steep forehead makes its head look 'peaked'. A rare breeding bird, it is also uncommon in winter. It is listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it an offence to recklessly or intentionally disturb these birds."