Feathered Friends Along The UK Canals

Spending my days traveling along the canals observing the wildlife, particularly birds (waterfowls); and it occurs to me that we don't realize how charming these little creatures are, till they come up close to try to get to know you.
It's only then, that we take the time to appreciate their fine features and creations.

Have you ever wondered what goes on in birds world? What are they communicating to each other?

They always seem so peaceful and at ease, unbothered by everything around them.

---

Mallards

The most common ducks on the canals across the UK.
Oftentimes you'll see "Mr & Mrs. Mallard" together. They appear to have great bonds, and occasionally you'll see a third mallard duck, just the three of them sailing along. They'll sail by others, yet stick together for miles.
It fascinates me!

The sun had just gone down when we moored up alongside the canal after a day of operating several locks (gates along the canals), and as I reached up to close my bedroom curtains, there were these two on the bank of the canal seemingly retired for the night, at peace in their surroundings.

---

Swans

The most admired birds on the canals. However, in Leicester, the specie of swans around the canals is known as Mute Swans.

An excerpt from the book: The MacMillans Guide to Birds of Britain And Europe (courtesy of my Mother-In-Law)

"Mute swans are usually semi-tame and approachable, walking on the shelving shores to beg for bread, but also hissing and snorting in a show of nervy aggression. Although by no means mute - they make a variety of unimpressive, strangled trumpeting sounds - the typical sound of a mute swan is actually the throb of the wings in flight."*

Swans are territorial in nature and since they are one of Britain's largest and heaviest birds, they display a level of dominance on the canals.
I beat myself up when I missed a pen and a cob swan mating right in front of my bow a few days ago. I'm used to seeing dogs, and somehow it took me by surprise and I had to look closely before I realized there were obviously two long necks - one above the other. I'm yet to research if that was a "swan quickie", because by the time my brain acknowledged what was happening right next to me, they were already done :)

On that note, I was lucky to witness (although a bit late in grabbing my camera) swans nesting.

See the pen (female) curled up on grass, as cob (male) plays guard

Apparently, the swans nest to accommodate the eggs at a secure location along the canals, normally at a spot where boats are not lightly to be moored. This is usually along the banks of the canals where there are overgrown grass, silt, and shrubbery.

The male swans are extremely protective at this time, and they intensely play the role of guard, to help incubate the eggs. Not surprising, because birds seem to work as a team, which is evident in their behavior, and also confirmed by bird enthusiasts - both pen and cob swans make cohesive decisions on where eggs will be laid.

---

Pigeons

These are everywhere!
There's never a specific time when birds choose to grace us with their presence, but it's always a treat to watch them flocked and fearless.

Are you a lover of feathered friends too?
There are many other varieties of birds here in the UK.
What are some of your favorite birds?

---

---

---

Admiring the surrounding nature and wildlife across the UK canals, from the vantage point of the bow of my narrowboat, as hubby chugs along. While birdwatching, I'm learning about the different kinds of birds,and waterfowls that welcome me on their territory.

Please feel free to share additional knowledge and expertise on birds and other UK wildlife.
Anything but snakes!

Thank you for reading my blog!
@millycf1976