Three Bird Flight

I went with my daughter and the dogs to take her track Honda S2000 to Adam's bodyshop for a quote to sort the rusty wheel arches. We had a walk at Lodge farm afterwards. Frankie dog is recovering from a burst abscess on her back and we were delighted that she seems to be her old self again. We loved seeing our hounds enjoying themselves together. A bitterly cold wind was blowing up the valley but we were cheered by the sublime sound of our first lark ascending in 2020.

I photographed these three mallards in flight at Hooks Marsh this afternoon. Three bird flights are a thing and occur in spring at the beginning of the nesting period. They are quite distinct from aerial courtship parties, which precede them and from attempted rape flights, which follow them. These flights happen when a paired male and female fly over a loafing male which takes flight to join them.

In the 1930s this behaviour was noticed and Beswick started making pottery, wall-hanging ducks. I've never watched Coronation Street but a character in that soap had a trio on her wall. My best friend in primary school had them in her home too.

I've added a golden hour cormorant to extras.