Love
on the wetlands
Flirty feathers, fancy moves, and soggy gifts!
Love is in the air (and on the water) across our wetlands. From the fancy moves of great crested grebes to the kingfisher's fishy gifts, our wetland birds are pulling out all the stops to impress a mate.
Wetlands are nature’s ultimate singles club, full of dancing, singing and some seriously impressive flirting! These watery havens provide the perfect backdrop for birds to showcase their courtship moves, whether it’s a dramatic duet or a flashy display.
But here’s the thing: without wetlands, many of these birds wouldn’t have the ideal stage for their love rituals, or a safe place to raise their young. So, every time you see these birds strut their stuff, you’re also getting a glimpse into the health of our precious wetlands.
This spring, we’ve rounded up 9 of our favourite courtship displays you can see at our wetlands plus a bonus one.
Expect flirty feathers, synchronized swimming, and a whole lot of love in the wild!
1. Grebes in love: the soggy spectacle of the great crested ‘Weed Dance’
Fall head over heels for one of nature’s most endearing courtships - the great crested grebe’s famous ‘weed dance’! These feathered romantics rise out of the water chest-to-chest, flicking their heads and bobbing in unison, before offering each other bits of soggy weed. It’s like the wetland version of handing over a bouquet!
Once nearly driven to extinction in the UK for their fancy feathers, conservation efforts have helped these stunning birds make a spectacular comeback in our wetlands across the UK.
Where to see it: WWT Slimbridge, WWT Castle Espie, WWT Arundel, WWT Llanelli, WWT London and WWT Washington
When to see it: March to May
2. The crane dance: love, leaps, and lots of flapping!
Watch as cranes perform a breathtaking courtship dance, complete with synchronized steps, graceful leaps, and plenty of flapping. These magnificent birds sometimes even throw sticks or tufts of grass to impress their mate.
Once extinct in the UK, these cranes are now back thanks to conservation efforts by WWT and others, gracing our wetlands with their displays.
Where to see it: One of the easiest places to see them in the UK is at WWT Slimbridge and at WWT Welney.
When to see it: February to April
3. Shelduck show-offs: the boldest display in the wetlands
Meet the shelduck, one of our wetlands' most stylish residents. With dramatic head bobs and distinctive calls, these ducks announce their presence in a big way.
Once they find a mate, shelducks are loyal for life, making their courtship about more than just looks, it’s about building lasting bonds.
Where to see it: At all WWT sites and around the coastal areas of the UK
When to see it: January to May
4. Goldeneye courtship: The art of winning a mate’s heart
Goldeneyes steal the spotlight with their striking yellow eyes and bold courtship moves. These feathered heartthrobs know exactly how to make a lasting impression.
Their complex courtship displays include up to 14 moves, with names like ‘masthead’, ‘bowsprit’ and ‘head throw kick’, in which the male bends his head back to touch his rump, then thrusts forward and kicks up water with his feet.
Where to see it: Wherever males and females winter around eastern and northern UK wetlands
When to see it: Mating happens throughout the winter and early spring, November to April.
5. Eider ducks: a love song for spring
Get ready to hear the sweetest (and most distinctive!) serenade of spring, because our eider ducks are calling! These charismatic birds have a unique, low-pitched call that’s part of their courtship ritual, used by males to attract females during mating season. The eider’s call might sound simple, but it’s actually a vital part of their romantic routine, helping them stand out in the busy, bustling wetland.
Eiders are also known for their fascinating nesting behaviour, in which the female builds a cozy nest lined with down feathers, often plucked from her own chest!
Where to see it: Hear them up close in our collections at WWT Arundel, WWT Castle Espie, WWT Llanelli, WWT Martin Mere, WWT Slimbridge and WWT Washington.
When to see it: January to May
6. The cuckoo’s call: a classic spring anthem
It’s the sound of spring, the unmistakable “cu-coo”, as the male cuckoo sings loud and proud to attract a mate! This call isn’t just a random noise, it’s a crucial part of his courtship routine, signalling his presence and competing with other males to win the attention of females.
Cuckoos don’t just rely on their famous call for courtship. They also perform a dramatic display, puffing out their chests and calling from high perches to show off their strength and stamina. It’s all about proving they’re the best option for raising the next generation, despite their sneaky egg-laying habits!
Where to see it: Across UK wetlands
When to see it: April, May and June
7. Kingfisher love: A fishy gift for his mate!
When it comes to courtship, this male kingfisher knows the way to his mate's heart – with a fresh fish! By handing over his catch, he's showing off his hunting skills and proving he's a reliable provider, a key part of winning over a mate.
Food gifts are common in wetland bird courtship! Many wetland birds present food to show they’re strong and capable, setting the stage for successful parenting. It’s all about impressing a mate with a little something extra - nature’s version of a romantic gesture!
Where to see it: Regularly seen at all WWT sites, but known to breed at WWT Slimbridge, WWT Martin Mere, WWT Arundel, WWT Washington and WWT Llanelli
When to see it: Throughout spring and early summer
8. Coot clash: when birds battle for territory
Talk about a serious showdown! Watch these coots go head-to-head in an epic battle for territory. It’s feathers flying, bills clashing, and all-around drama. But while it looks like chaos, it’s actually a crucial part of their courtship - and it’s all about securing the best nesting spot.
Territorial behaviour is a big deal in the bird world, especially during breeding season. For coots, fighting over space is key to attracting a mate. The males that control the best territories have a higher chance of attracting females and raising healthy chicks. So, while it may seem like a fierce battle, it's really all about proving who's the top bird for the job!
Where to see it: Across UK wetlands
When to see it: Early spring – February and March
9. Marsh harriers in love: aerial acrobatics for a perfect pair!
Prepare to be wowed by these marsh harriers showing off their incredible flight skills in this beautiful courtship display! Watch as they swoop and glide together, showing off their flying prowess.
It’s not just a fun flight. In marsh harrier courtship, these aerial performances are all about showing off strength, agility, and teamwork. The male harrier often performs slow, graceful flight patterns to demonstrate his skill and attract a mate. The female watches closely, evaluating his fitness and ability to handle the challenges of the breeding season. These dramatic flights help them form a strong bond, essential for raising healthy chicks in the challenging marshland environment. So, every swoop and dive is a serious step in the dance of love!
Where to see it: Across UK wetlands with extensive reedbed nesting habitat
When to see it: Throughout spring
Lekking legends: the ruff’s epic dance-off for love!
And now for our bonus bird. While an incredibly rare breeder in the UK, this is definitely a wetland romance we didn’t want to miss off our list. So take a look at the ruff’s high energy lekking ritual filmed here on its breeding grounds in the Russian Tundra. You’ll see males gather to compete with flashy displays and bold moves, all to win the attention of a female with their large ‘ruff’ of ornamental feathers.
Competition is fierce with ‘satellite males’, homing in on females unimpressed by their competitors’ moves and sneaky ‘faeder males’ even mimicking females to get closer to them.
Where to see it: They’re an incredibly rare breeder in the UK so you won’t see it lekking here, but are a common breeder across northern Europe and Russia.
When to see it: Ruff are fairly easy to spot at UK wetlands from late summer to early spring (they come here to winter).
Experience the romance yourself
Want to witness these incredible courtship rituals in the wild? Visit one of our 10 wetland sites, where you can see these beautiful birds in action, up close and personal. Immerse yourself in nature’s love stories and don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of wetlands this spring.
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