First it had a mooch around the flower beds, then ....
...... failed to find anything interesting on the snow-covered lawn ....
.... so then it came right up to the house to pick up food that had fallen from the bird table. I hoped that it might fly up there so I could honestly boast that 'we had a moorhen on our bird table' - but no luck.
So then it just ambled down the garden path .....
.... leaving a distinctive set of arrow-shaped footprints in the snow,
then ....
.... paused to glance into the pond, which was covered with an inch of ice, before disappearing into the garden next door.
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I bet it's not on the big garden bird count..I often wonder how far Moorhens and Coots will travel as its not a bird you see flying about much.
ReplyDeleteThey do seem to be reluctant fliers
ReplyDeleteThey are such attractive birds, poor old things tend to get lumped in as mere "common waterfowl" on the lakes and ponds, no better than a mallard
ReplyDeleteLove the very careful, precise way that they walk
DeleteA great visitor. They have wonderful feet.
ReplyDeleteThere footprints are very distinctive, with that little spur at the back
DeleteWhat a fabulous bird to have in the garden, Phil! Their feet and the way they walk remind me of a cartoon character from my younger days - but can't for the life of me think of the character's name.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - - Richard
Might have been Foghorn Leghorn???? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foghorn_Leghorn
Deleteall the best
Phil
It's the enormous feet that get me. A very interesting garden visitor.
ReplyDeletethere were arrowhead-shaped footprints all over the garden - it must have had a good look around before I spotted it!
Delete