Coot contenders
I’ve enjoyed seeing fights between Moorhens before, if enjoyed is the right word. Here’s a Moorhen fight I saw in Rome: I’ve …
As daft as a Coot
The commonest bird on the water in The Regent’s Park is the Coot, Fulica atra. That must be stressful for them, as …
New life
The Coots on my local lake had six chicks earlier in the year. All of them were eaten. They built another nest …
Coots and Moorhens
Coots and Moorhens are fairly familiar birds of lakes, ponds and canals. They are both members of the Rallidae, a family which include Rails, like the …
And then there was one.. again!
I’ve loved watching Coots have ugly-beautiful chicks and the dedication of the parents to raise them. One of the pairs on Stover …
Bird portraits at Daisy Nook
Birds have evolved a wide range of faces. Here’s a Coot with that large white faceplate: And a Mute Swan with a …
Coot cuties
Last week this Coot was sitting on six eggs. I waited until the incubating parent had a brief rearrange of their eggs …
Running late
Having a family is a stressful time. It’s particularly difficult if you’ve laid six eggs and have to incubate them and turn …
Nesting Coot
The scientific name of the Eurasian Coot is Fulica atra. There are currently ten species of Coot worldwide; there were eleven species, …
When Kingfishers attack
There’s a flash of electric blue and a Kingfisher arrows past on its intensely important mission. Coots beware!
Coot kerfuffle
I’m looking up a tree when there’s a bit of a kerfuffle on the lake. Coots are deeply territorial birds. Or terror-torial. …
Coots’ Nest
I’m up at dawn, which is unheard of for me, unless I’m in Orkney, where getting up is aided by the distinct …
Calling Coots
The Coots at Stover Country Park are busy. I can see their nest in the bushes, barely above the water level. They …
I’m a Loon short of a full lake
I hear that there’s a Great Northern Diver, a type of bird frequently called a Loon everywhere apart from here, on a …
2018 highlights of a wilder London life
I spent a few days in London in 2018 and managed to squeeze in a couple of trips to The Regent’s Park. …
And then there was one
I make the last minute decision to go to London to meet friends and go to a concert. I pack a bag …
Tender moments
We are witnessing a tender moment at the lake: a Coot is feeding its only chick: It is picking morsels of food …
Old red eyes is back
Coots have extraordinary eyes. The irises of this one are red: Sometimes, however, their irises are dark red or even brown. I’d …
Feathered friends
There’s time to visit Stover Country park and see some wildlife today. I’m taking my dad along so he can experience one …
Coot – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
Forty years ago I obviously had very little to say when I saw a Coot, as this was my entry in my …