A visitor asked about the difference between a coot and a moorhen.
So it got us thinking again.
Coot (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/coot/index.aspx)
The coot calls its name.
It has a white beak. Note the letters C-O-O-T . CO reminds us of the cold and white frost, OO reminds us of snowballs which are white – so there's the white beak).
Moorhen (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/moorhen/index.aspx)
The moorhen walks about the land and around farms alot. Note the word 'hen'.
It has a red (and yellow) beak. Note the 'r' in moorhen and that reminds us of ' r e d'.
That's the end of today's lesson, folks. Let's go waterbird watching. Find a bench overlooking a lake and choose a bird. Then watch it move for a while.
Some waterbirds on the surface will suddenly pivot and dive down looking for food. Others will slide along the surface.
It's nature's way of allowing so many birds find food on a lake.