I've seen several nesting coots this spring already but this is the best photo I've been able to take (at Edinburgh's Inverleith Park).
Coots are very cute birds and at this time of year can be seen feeding their young with great care and attention (you can see my videos on Flickr here, here, here and here) but later in the year they will often attack and kill their young.
Adorable! I don't think I've ever seen a bird on its nest IRL, unless you count ducks and chickens.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo; I had no idea coots built such beautiful nests. They are very crisp, attractive looking birds, though I always had the impression they were a bit rough; they bully and displace moorhens too, I understand, though in some places they seem to live together OK.
ReplyDeleteExcellent capture of the nesting Coot! It looks all snug in its nest.
ReplyDeleteWith the lack of rain there is no chance that their nest will be swamped ... at the moment. Lovely post Juliet.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, but what an odd looking nest! it must be stronger than it looks.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool, I've never seen a coots nest. It is neat seeing what the nest is looks like. Great photo and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe shot of the nesting Coot is lovely. She looks very snug, tucked in among the reeds. I loved the videos showing the parent feeding the babies. Great post!
ReplyDeleteA great capture of the nest.
ReplyDeleteNever seen a Coot nest like it.
Many thanks for sharing.
How content she looks!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a nest - great photo.
ReplyDeleteNice pic.
ReplyDeleteLove the coot! I have just found this bird in Michigan and am really crazy with taking pictures of them. I haven't seen a nest though. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLovely composition of the nesting coot!
ReplyDeleteI love your header shot! Gorgeous!
Thanks for stopping by.
Interesting photo and post. But why do they kill their young? Is it over competition for food, when they are independent of the nest?
ReplyDeleteCoots - big feet I think. Great photos ...
ReplyDeleteLynda - I'm not sure why they kill their young, it may be due to overcompetition for food (that would seem a likely explanation) but I don't know...
ReplyDeleteRabbits Guy - huge feet, like rabbits!
Amazing 'on a stalk' type nest! I've only seen Coots nesting just above the surface in the middle of lakes and other stretches of water.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a good photograph! The green is stunning, and then the lovely sombre-coloured bird and nest.
ReplyDeleteHi there - thanks for visiting my photo-blog. I see from your blog that you were involved in a "creative writing inspired by nature" event - I think that is a good description of my other - far more wordy - blog. I hope you find time to have a look at it at :http://payingreadyattention.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteYour pictures of the coot at the nest is very good - as you say they look nice at times - but at other times they seem to contain more anger per Kg than any other bird on Earth!!
Stewart M - Australia
Wonderful capture, love the setting between the leaves!
ReplyDeleteIsn't nature so curious as to how things can turn so quickly. One moment a loving and caring parent, the next moment protecting their territory.
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing post for sure.
I've never seen a nesting coot before. Thanks for the photo. I almost always see coots swimming at Guntersville Lake and Ditto Landing. The other day I actually spied some walking in the grass at the edge of the water, but they were shy and scooted to the water before I could get any photos of them strolling about.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to see a coot on the nest! They come here to the Texas coast in the winter - they're very much a first sign of the changing season. But by early spring they're gone again, headed north, for their own nesting.
ReplyDeleteThey love the marina waters, so I often have groups for company while I work. They seem to form stable groups, and clearly are territorial!
I always think it is such a treat to be able to see a nest...I have never seen a coot...sorry, I keep thinking I have visited ....sigh..late..Michelle
ReplyDeleteSweet little bird - thank for the intro to the cute coot.
ReplyDelete