Geoorde Futen Podiceps nigricollis in het Drents-Friese grensgebied in 1993-98

A review is given of the numerical trend of Black-necked Grebes breeding in SE-Friesland, along the border of Drenthe. At three breeding sites on heaths and peat moors, annually 14-34 breeding pairs were recorded during 1982-92, compared to 14-27 in 1993-98. During droughts, numbers declined in conjunction with the near-disapperance of Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus. Most grebes nested in colonies of Black-headed Gulls. If not, onset of laying was delayed as compared to those breeding in gull colonies.