We stopped at a delightful small, quiet farm campsite just outside Kington last night, (Tuesday 17th) with a lovely large pond/small lake with nice island.
Three resident moorhen, four Mallard, a visiting juvenile Heron and a couple of families of Pied Wagtails. On the telegraph wires were a lot of H. Martins and Swallows, which occasionally dipped into the water (as you do!). A sudden sharp heavy shower and they all went mad. They took off en masse and proceeded to dive bomb the pond with great splashing. After three or four minutes the rain stopped as abruptly as it started and so did the splashing. The only thing I can think of is that, before the rain they 'washed' up 'as far as possible' and during the rain they were able to 'wash' down 'as far as possible'. (I suppose 'possible' took care of itself!!).
Were they bathing? Has anyone else seen this behaviour?
David Felinfach