Birds

Western Grebe conservation

With its incredible breeding display that incorporates literally running on water, the Western Grebe is an iconic species of the western North American wetlands.

With its incredible breeding display that incorporates literally running on water, the Western Grebe is an iconic species of the western North American waterways.

Working with Audubon chapters

Audubon California in 2010 launched an ambitious project with chapters to protect breeding Western and Clark’s Grebes at four lakes in Northern California. Partnering chapters include Plumas Audubon, Redbud Audubon, and Altacal Audubon. Audubon is employing a variety of strategies to reduce the impact of human interference on breeding grebes at Eagle Lake, Lake Almanor, Clear Lake, and Thermalito Afterbay, which together support 76 percent of the total number of nesting grebes in California. The project will involve identifying the key threats at each site to the grebes, outreach and education to local communities, working with agency officials to optimize conditions for the birds, and extensive monitoring.

Western Grebes and climate change

Audubon has designated the Western Grebe as Climate Endangered. Here in California, the bird is projected to lose as much as 70% of its climate suitability range.

Below is the predicted breeding season range of climate suitability for Wester Grebes, both now and in 2050: