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I came across these recently hatched coot chicks towards the end of August. They were only a day or two old here despite the size of the fish they are being offered. I have returned to visit them a couple of times since.
Adult coots being black and having an almost featureless white shield above their beaks represent a photographic challenge. Like swans they are much easier to photograph in the shade rather than in full sunlight.
The Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra, featured here builds a nest of dead reeds or grasses, but also pieces of paper or plastic near the edge of the water or on underwater obstacles protruding from the water.
They can lay up to 10 eggs 2 or 3 times a year. The parents, despite being ferocious in defence of their brood, lose most of their young due to predation from birds like herons and gulls.
My own observations showed the parents to be unceasingly dedicated to the well being of their young, always close by and continually presenting them with morsels of food.
Wildlife photographer Graham Jeffery, Hinckley UK.
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