Love is in the Air

Great Crested Grebes

On Sunday, we went to our favourite place, Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve.

It was a beautiful spring-like day. The sun was out and some of the lakes still frozen.

From one of the hides, we were treated to a spectacular display of a pair of Great Crested Grebes indulging in an impressive and elaborate courtship dance. It was love in motion, each mirroring the others movements.

Grebes were hunted almost to extinction when their plumage became a fashion accessory for Victorian women. It was the dense, downy feathers of the breast and not the extravagant head plumes that were in demand.

As a result, the RSPB was set up to protect the species.

Unfortunately due to the mild weather the birds are preparing to breed far too early.

A sudden cold snap will almost certainly kill any young.