A pair of great cresties were on the new reed bed pool recently practising their water courtship routine. This is for this new season's pairing and territory ownership.
Unfortunately we have no film to show you. However, there are some available on the YouTube and BBC websites, so have a search. But we would like your own films.
The ritual should continue for a month or so. Film them, put the results on a memory stick or a cd, and bring them to the office and we will include then on this blog.
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Thanks to Paul Swales, RSPB, for this picture.
Thanks to Mike Ixer (Sandwell Valley) for this picture
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In the middle of the new reed bed pool, one bird approaches the other underwater to emerge suddenly. Mutual head shaking follows – each bird mimicking the other.
One bird's head goes up, shakes its head, lowers it and then waits. The second bird does the same. This happens several times. They then swim apart and then swim together. One bird ruffles its head and shakes it as before. The second bird does the same.
Then both birds lower their heads, swim low in the water and move apart. One bird chases the other. The front bird dives down and disappears. The chasing bird sticks its head up to look for the missing bird. It cannot be seen. Unless you look at the far reeds and the head is sticking out. Has it seen me ? No, the searching bird just cannot see what we can see. The searcher swims low in the water and then high in the water, just looking and seeking its mate.
They will meet up again, so find the bench on the riverside track and keep watching. Why not film it and bring it into the office.
At this time, there was no weed exchanging at this early start to the courtship. Look out for that in days to come.
Happy watching nature at its best.