Grebes, Sex, Reed Beds and chippings. Chard LNR

The reed beds are looking  good. Our hard work is paying off with good growth. With the willow shade gone the reeds are growing well and will soon expand to the fill the previously shaded areas.

We spent the day moving the wood chippings from the felled timber and placed it on the pathways where it blends in really well. I was suprised to see the fungi growing well in the chippings. There are quite a few piles of this stuff. to to move. Anyone identify the fungi?

 Far better than ordinary pathways and we felt happy that the bugs and fungi will soon get to work on it and break it down to provide essential  nutrients in the food chain.

here they are shoveling away, I am not there but at the the [other end of the camera again.

All the while when we were working on the moving the chippings Grebes and Coots were busy building and taking up squatters rights.

I do not always see the Grebes in the Reeds or nest building for that matter. Most of the time I only see them carrying material to the nest. This time it was good to see them against the reed backdrop.

Their activity we monitored but I always missed the short displays.

Here are a few of the shots and I apologise for any blurring as my attention was not always 100%.

The female adopted a prone position several times  which puzzled me until the male ( I assumed that) performs conjugal rights.

it was a short performance. ( it always is isn't it)

this was moments after. I could not help thinking about the old cigarette adverts " and we smoked our Capstan" or Players" or whatever it was .

afterwards she continued the housework.

a bit there and a bit more over there....

then  a moorhen came to investigate the nest.

nearby a pair of Coots were very busy but were more discrete than the Grebes.

I loved to see all this happening only yards from where we were working, and thank whatever Gods may be for making it so.

I have added this image later only because I love the feet.