Hope Fades for Nesting Grebes
Sadly, I’m coming to the conclusion that the three nesting Rednecked Grebes in our cove will not hatch eggs this summer. Every day I’ve faithfully watched the nests with binoculars, one was established in late May the others came later, and baby chicks have not appeared. It would be quite obvious if their were chicks, for after they hatch they ride on top of the mothers back.
I’ve had a hunch for weeks that the nests would not produce, because the Grebes behavior seemed to change. They are listless and often both male and female are together in the water, the nest abandoned for periods of time. They float around with their heads tucked down on their back under a wing . Gone are the days of the aggressive diving and underwater attacks on other waterfowl. Fifteen to twenty other ducks are congregating along the shore in the morning and evening and the Grebes leave them alone. This was not the case in late May and early June. They fiercely protected their territory.
If baby chicks hatched now the chances are very slim that they would mature enough to fly before it becomes too cold. The prognosis would be slim for their survival. How did this happen? I can only speculate, for this is my first summer on the lake. But, in my opinion their is too much “recreational boat activity” for nests to survive. This is normally a quiet fishing lake, fishermen show up early and quietly cast or slowly troll for Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Arctic Char, Grayling and more. Rarely does a fishing boat make a wake, or speed into quiet coves with nesting waterfowl.
But, whenever the sun comes out and the temperatures warm, you can count on high speed jet boats towing people on any kind of apparatus that will hold a human, wave runners zip around crossing each others wake and often the driver becomes airborne separating from his craft hitting the water with a scream. Some jet boats use excessive speed and create giant rooster tails sending waves crashing to shore. We have watched grebe nests upend and dump all their eggs as a result of these waves. Other thoughtless boaters actually come into the cove very close to shore and do circles at high speed, this activity is the most destructive of all. Grossly overloaded float planes, needing all the lake they can get to become airborne, rev up engines very close to shore and trash the nests. I do not look forward to days with this kind of activity on the lake.
It is time that the Matanuska Borough take a look at these kinds of violations and enforce the ordinance. This activity is not allowed, but not policed. I am but a single voice in the crowd. I don’t think most of the violators have any idea that sensitive nests occupy the shorelines, or they would be more respectful. Most are just caught up in the joy of the moment and really not informed. We need more buoys marking the nests with discreet signs warning of nesting waterfowl. It looks like I have a job to do next summer, that is, if the Grebes return.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
