Mr and Mrs Coot and family

I had yet another first on my trip to Anglesey and would like to share it with you. It was our last day, much of which was spent at the RSPB Valley Reserve where I had the eyeball contest with the Bittern I almost fell over (see Lucky Sparrow thread). We wanted an ice cream so headed to the Penrhos Coastal Park. No ice creams to be seen, but another stunning experience awaited me. Near the car park is a duck pond overlooking the sea, which was fringed with reed beds, and there on the edge I spotted a coot diving for food. Nothing unusual there, but then I saw it – the nest. Mum was sitting on the nest, and just peeping out from underneath her was a furry red thing.

Next minute the little red thing jumped out of the nest. I’m sure it was his first attempt at this as he looked very bemused and uncertain, but mum quickly followed to make sure he was OK.

 Dad arrived to keep an eye on things. Seeing all was well, he went diving again.

 Whoops – just missed him.

 Mum stayed with the brave little chick, giving me an excellent view of the 3 still in the nest.

Mum then busied herself repairing the nest, whilst dad brought food for the chicks. It was a lovely thing to watch – such a contented little family, and well worth doing without an ice cream to see.