This video shows our local pair engaging in the beautiful mute swan mating ritual.
The sequence began some minutes earlier with the head dipping, bubble blowing, neck overlapping and preening you see during the first few seconds of this video. When ready, the cob slides his neck and body over the pen's, stands on her back, performs a pirouette and grabs her neck, both for stabilty and (reportedly, although I'm not convinced) to prevent her drowning. The 'main event' occupies no more than a few seconds, after which the pair rise erect from the water, sometimes forming their heads and necks into a loving heart shape. During the final stage of this amazing, balletic dance, they repeatedly turn their heads from side to side in mirrored unison, gradually subsiding into the water.
With thanks to J-cob and Pen-y for their uninhibited and flawless performance.
Wildfowl will rarely refuse small portions of wheat grain, cracked corn or fresh, unsweetened tinned corn poured into the shallows. Bread, especially white, is poor nutrition and might cause harm. Mouldy bread can kill, by promoting lung disease. Please remove any fishing line and hooks you find lying around - they can cause horrible injuries. Thanks.
