BEFORE opening the new nature reserve of Hurcott pools and wood in October last year, a huge amount of work was needed to make the site safe for visitors.

Part of this was inspecting the trees that bordered the paths and those trees to be at risk of falling were removed.

During this inspection it was discovered that what once must have been a beautiful, mature oak tree, had an extensive area of decay inbetween the hollows of its two main branches.

It was felt there was no choice but to cut the tree down as one of the branches was about to break off and smash across a footpath, demolishing the old boat house.

Therefore, the tree was regrettably taken down.Iit was felt that part of the tree could be put to use and a section of the trunk was carved into a seat and some stools.

These were then put on a bank, overlooking the sparkling waters of the pool.

On a fine day this has to be one of my favourite places to sit. The seats are on a south-facing bank that seems to amplify the warmth of the sun even at this time of year. The view across the pool is breathtakingly and a careful look at the reed covered pool margins, reveals some beautiful water birds- coots, moorhens and herons just to mention a few. At this time of year though, my favourite has to be the great crested grebe.

Frequently, I have spotted a pair swimming majestically across the lake with their white heads bearing black caps, dagger shaped beaks, characteristic golden ruffs held high and their dark brown bodies barely visible above the surface of the water.

Occasionally, one will dip its head beneath the water and disappear from sight making scarcely a ripple.

They spend almost a minute beneath the water. Under the water, the grebe propels itself by rapidly kicking its legs, while it searches out food. Great crested grebes mainly eat fish but also eat freshwater invertebrates like diving beetles and water boatmen.

At this time of year the grebes will also be displaying to attract a mate. The two grebes on Hurcott I have seen are quite young so may not display. I will certainly be keeping my eye on them though.

Both the male and female grebes participate in the display rituals that can take distinct forms. The most frequently witnessed involves both birds shaking their heads.

Sometimes one bird will submerge, only to reappear alongside the other, rising up in the water with its head bowed and then slowly rotating it.

The most fascinating part is when both birds perform a sort of dance holding tufts of pondweed in their beaks. Both birds dive beneath the water, collect some pondweed before rising up in the water face to face.