It’s a busy time of year for birds. They’re migrating, or nesting, or getting ready to nest. I’ve noticed that many of the mallard ducks have paired up.

This couple seemed quite content until another male tried to interrupt. That action caused the female to fly away.

A bit later, I saw her surrounded by four males, all trying to get her attention. She took off again; apparently she wasn’t impressed with their behaviour.

I’ve seen this lone coot in the same location for a few days in a row now. Today I realised that her/his partner is already sitting on a well-concealed nest at the water’s edge. Unlike mallards, coots mate for life and share the work of incubating, protecting and raising their young.

I hope to see the amazingly colourful coot chicks – they are orange and red and only turn black when they reach adulthood – in four or five weeks when their parents will begin teaching them how to survive in the water.

Happy Sunday.