Now I know that Moorhen eat fish as part of their diet, but up until two weeks ago I had never witnessed one eating a fish, let alone catching one.
All this changed however, when I spent several hours in the hide at Moor Green Lakes, Berkshire, in the company of my felow birder and photographer, Michael Hunt, who had seen a juvenile Moorhen catching fish.
The bird in question walked up and down a stream which runs close to the hide, following a fairly strict route and after a minute or two plucked a fish from the water, mainly Perch.
During my time at the hide, I saw the same bird catch twelve fish. Mike, who had been at the hide for a longer period had seen it catch at least twenty fish.
I was amazed at the skill of the bird, especially when Little Egret and Grey Heron were unsuccessful in catching their lunch.
Goosander numbers have increased slightly throughout the month, especially during the last week when the weather turned very cold and the lakes virtually froze over.
Sixty six Teal were seen on the 28th, a very good count for the reserve.
At home the Grey Wagtail is still in the garden, staying around the pond and eating mealworms that I put out for her, only leaving to roost and then returning early the next morning.
All this changed however, when I spent several hours in the hide at Moor Green Lakes, Berkshire, in the company of my felow birder and photographer, Michael Hunt, who had seen a juvenile Moorhen catching fish.
The bird in question walked up and down a stream which runs close to the hide, following a fairly strict route and after a minute or two plucked a fish from the water, mainly Perch.
During my time at the hide, I saw the same bird catch twelve fish. Mike, who had been at the hide for a longer period had seen it catch at least twenty fish.
I was amazed at the skill of the bird, especially when Little Egret and Grey Heron were unsuccessful in catching their lunch.
Goosander numbers have increased slightly throughout the month, especially during the last week when the weather turned very cold and the lakes virtually froze over.
Sixty six Teal were seen on the 28th, a very good count for the reserve.
At home the Grey Wagtail is still in the garden, staying around the pond and eating mealworms that I put out for her, only leaving to roost and then returning early the next morning.
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