I don’t know the site, so I could well be wrong in interpreting the situation of risk.
Australasian Grebes do often nest in little dams and seem pretty secure about it. However, I suspect you are giving little credit to the birds’ ability to choose their own
site. I also suspect that you are over sure about that “if they build a nest in that spot, they’re going to be disturbed by people”. Do people regularly go into the water
at that spot? Do dogs go in there? I suspect dogs are a bigger threat. I also suspect that putting up a sign won’t reduce the proximity of people. A sign is likely to either be ignored by the majority of people who aren’t interested or attract increased attention
and proximity of the few that are interested. A sign that asks people to go away is not typically well-received by everyone and so reactions might be counterproductive. It is not as if this is a rare species. Signs don’t work very well with dogs either. Not
every nest is going to be successful anyway.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of regeraghty--- via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 8 October, 2021 9:44 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Grebes at Callum Brae
I’ve been watching an Australasian Grebe keeping a lonely vigil in the dam which is roughly in the middle of the reserve. Today, he has a friend, and they seem to be determined to hang out in the reeds on the corner of the dam closest to
the nearby dirt road. I think they may be nesting or planning to nest, and if they build a nest in that spot, they’re going to be disturbed by people. I’m wondering if a sign could be put up asking people to stay away from the dam to allow the birds to nest
in peace? As much as I want to get more photos of the pair, they may fail to clutch or lose their clutch.
☹ Thoughts?
