'Civil partners' pretty in pink (From Stroud News and Journal)

'Civil partners' pretty in pink

THEY are the only gays in the lake.

And this week gay flamingos Carlos and Fernando will be spending their fifth Valentine's Day together.

The camp pair of male greater flamingos have surprised staff at the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge with their unusual relationship.

It began five years ago with a series of elaborate mating rituals which included preening and strutting.

But being the queens of the lake they were determined to have chicks and raised three after stealing eggs from other nests.

The centre's bird expert Nigel Jarrett said they only have eyes - and beaks - for each other.

"They go everywhere together and are inseparable," he said.

"Female flamingos tend to change partner each mating season but these two have been together for five years," he said.

It is not unusual for animals to form same sex partnerships but this is believed to be the first it has been recorded in flamingos.