With St Dwynwen's Day fast approaching, these two coots treated me to a lovely courtship display on Brickfield Pond. The birds would separate by about twenty feet, and then swim rapidly towards each other, with heads lowered, similar to last week's fights, but when they met they would give a faint call to each other and preen each other as they turned. The male would then dive, and a minute later re-appear bearing a "gift" of weed for the female. I found the display suprisingly tender for what normally appears a slightly brusque bird, and it was done for each others benefit rather than an overt display to other coots. I could have watched all afternoon if I hadn't run out of time!
