Romance is in the air...

During autumn and winter the Rowing Lake is home for a very large flock of mute swans - today I estimate there were approximately ninety, most quietly feeding, washing and preening or loafing on the banks. But I was quite surprised to see this pair clearly engaged in the ritual of courtship, which is usually observed in early spring. They were mirroring each others movements, dipping their heads into the water and then raising them together, in this case forming an almost perfect heart.

Swan courtship and bonding really begins the moment baby swans, or cygnets, are kicked out of the nest. At this point they are almost a year old, but they will not begin mating until around three. They join a flock of other, non-breeding swans and begin courtship. This is where the cygnet typically finds its mate. Like humans, swans are mostly monogamous but do change pairs every once in a while and also cheat.

I'm not sure whether this was a relatively young pair of swans starting a new relationship, or an established couple who were cementing their bonds. But what I found particularly interesting was the fact that another male swan (who had a partner of his own) really wasn't happy with their liaison, and forced them apart quite aggressively on at least two occasions. I'm not sure whether this was caused by rivalry or a feeling that it just isn't the right time of year for romance!