He'll do!
If a female is interested in a male, she shows it by swimming away with her head and neck stretched out over the water. The female "nod-swims", as it is called. This is how she attempts to draw him to her.
Faithful couple
Strictly, the female's behaviour is an invitation to mate. But the real mating does not take place until spring. An established couple stay together through autumn and winter until the spring nesting season.
Will he do?
The male and female copulate during the winter months, but without conception taking place. It is believed that this is the female's method of testing the male's mating capability. If he does not measure up, the pair may break up.
