Birders

And there are a heap of swans there in winter and spring but you don't always see them.

Early in the season I've watched them building their nests. There's a green-leafed, strappy plant which is quite soft. They pull one leaf, swivel their necks and toss it in the direction of the construction site. Then again and again till there's a little pile to which they paddle and begin the picking up and tossing again. It's a really slow process when you see the size of the nests. They are huge mounds floating on the weed, about 3 metres in diameter and a metre or so high.

Early in the season, before the mounds have sunk down, you see the swans in the distance when they stand up and flap their wings. They don't seem to be bothered much by people. When there are no young they are quite curious and come close for a look at the dog and I.