Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Birds - Moorhen Page 10

Image Taken on 26 May 2023 at 20:07 Image of day on 21 Jul 2023

The 'replacement' adult was feeding 3 of the 8 chicks a week ago, so it is possible that there are still all extant and that this is the second group.

Ref: 20230721_e64_20230526_2007_190_fb2 moorhen visits with up to 3 chicks at meadow site 3 of 3 (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 24 May 2021 at 12:04 Image of day on 19 Jun 2021

This close-up of the more adventurous of the pair of Moorhen provides a good view of the lobed toes so good at getting around ponds, dense weeds and solid ground without the obvious compromises you see in Ducks, Swans etc.

Ref: 20210619_e64_20210524_1204_037_fb2 moorhen walking across site showing foot detail(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 10 Apr 2024 at 14:43 Image of day on 07 May 2024

Wow - the Moorhen web site gets - a Moorhen. This montage show the bird walking along the edge of Duck Pond (and 1 other photo nearby).

Ref: 20240507_bu8_20240410_1443_160 moorhen walking along edge of duck pond 1+3 of 3 (accurate montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 10 Apr 2022 at 09:15 Image of day on 11 May 2022

The bird walked carefully along the rather sparse hedge.
Here you see one 'cycle' of the bird right leg.

Ref: 20220511_df5_20220410_0915_040-044 moorhen walking along hedge top outside livingroom window 04-08 of 11 (spread montage @7fps)(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Image Taken on 10 Apr 2022 at 09:15 Image of day on 11 May 2022

The first sighting this year of a Moorhen.
It was quite a shock as this one suddenly landed on the low hedge outside the Living Room window.

Ref: 20220511_df5_20220410_0915_024+027 moorhen walking along hedge top outside livingroom window 1+4 of 4 (spread montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 01 Sep 2010 at 13:07 Image of day on 26 Oct 2010

And now one of this years juveniles. The vivid green tiny leaves coating the water and lower parts of the birds is 'duckweed' a thin layer of which comes and goes on some of the ponds.

Ref: 20101026_dc1_20100901_1307_077 juvenile moorhen walking on iris roots at dragon pond 1 of 4 (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 01 Sep 2010 at 11:19 Image of day on 26 Oct 2010

The end of a months long drought has converted the pond margins into something better than liquid mud to the main pond has brought back some of the moorhen family. First one of the adults.

Ref: 20101026_dc1_20100901_1119_053 adult moorhen walking on iris roots at dragon pond 2 of 4 (crop)(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Image Taken on 03 May 2021 at 06:16 Image of day on 03 Jun 2021

One the the Moorhen pair shortly after sunrise, exploring the woodland site for some breakfast.

Ref: 20210603_e64_20210503_0616_306_fb2 moorhen walking through woodland site(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 11 Apr 2024 at 11:03 Image of day on 07 May 2024

Here is 'our' moorhen again, this time wanting to pass the Squirrel on the way to the hedge bottom.

Ref: 20240507_bu8_20240411_1103_027 moorhen walking towards grey squirrel by duck pond(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 10 Aug 2005

Don't know what this young moorhen is doing, but you get a good views of the structure and patterning of the wings.

Ref: 20050810_d3e_22637 fb1 young moorhen wing raised 2005aug05_18-05-48(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 23 Jun 2005

Both moorhen families still doing well.

Ref: 20050623_d3c_11935 fb2 moorhen with 2 chicks 2005jun17_06-48-18(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 02 Jul 2005

The moorhen chicks (these from the main pond) are developing nicely. We still have 4 though one is more independent than the others

Ref: 20050702_d3e_19387 fb1 moorhen with 2 chicks 2005jun28_17-35-40(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 28 May 2005

The moorhens have a family at last. One parent is looking after 5 although 4 are visible in this image. There are probably 1 or 2 with the other parent.

Ref: 20050528_d10_01921 moorhen with 4 (of 5) chicks with this parent 2005may27_13-58-58(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 28 Jun 2005

The moorhen family now has 4 chicks both feeding themselves and being fed by a parent. Note the huge feet of the chicks that help them get about on floating vegetation.

Ref: 20050628_d3e_19074 fb1 moorhen with chick 2005jun25_19-10-46(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 10 Jul 2007 at 18:41 Image of day on 01 Aug 2007

The pair of moorhen on the main pond are raising 6 chicks with the help of 2 juveniles. This looks like an evening visit to 'get a break from the kids'.

Ref: 20070801_d35_20070710_1841_031 fb2 moorhen with good view of foot(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 04 Jun 2022 at 05:18 Image of day on 16 Jul 2022

Another adult Moorhen taking food in the opposite direction - so there must be another brood hatched even if we don't know where it is.

Ref: 20220716_e64_20220604_0518_182_fb2 moorhen with insect in beak (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image of day on 13 Apr 2005

The worm is probably being taken back to the female who is now egg laying.

Ref: 20050413_d3e_13944 fb1 moorhen with worm 2005apr06_19-39-30(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 02 Jun 2007 at 17:46 Image of day on 18 Jun 2007

One of the 3 healthy moorhen chicks stomping through the buttercups.

Ref: 20070618_d60_20070602_1746_054 moorhen youngster in buttercups(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Mar 2023 at 10:36 Image of day on 09 Apr 2023

A most welcome return visitor is this Moorhen - or maybe two. Over 20 hours we got about 12 sightings, of which we kept 8, and show most of them here.

Ref: 20230409_e63_20230308_1036_189_fb1 moorhen(s) visits over 20 hours 1 of 8 (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Mar 2023 at 14:24 Image of day on 09 Apr 2023

Ref: 20230409_e63_20230308_1424_214+1036_189+1208_198_fb1 moorhen(s) visits over 20 hours 4+1+3 of 8 (accurate montage)(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Backwards

Forwards

Comments and requests for image use

To make a comment, ask for information or to request a full resolution image, send us an email including the reference or the date for the image you are interested in.

All initial contacts should be made using the icon below:-