The courtship of #MuteSwans is long and elaborate, involving dipping necks in the water and vigorously preening - not just #bathingtogether but but cementing their lifelong relationship. On this occasion, the courting couple were in the company of a third swan who seemed to do a bit of hopeful preening too, but was given short shrift by the pair. There was a brief attempt at mating, but evidently she wasn't yet in the mood so the dance continued - not #SwanLake this time but Swan Canal - along from the wonderfully named Splatt Bridge near Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire.
For more details on the natural history of Mute Swans, with beautiful photographs, see www.swanlife.com/swans-mating...
22 янв 2021
