I wonder if someone could give me some advice please.
I live on a marina and one of the boats moored up has a Coots nest with 6 eggs in. The owner of the boat arrived yesterday and started the boat up. My other half went round to see him and told him about the nest and he should cut his engine. The boat owner said he knew the nest was there and was hoping that starting the boat would chase them off! The Coots were going mad, desperately trying to get back on the nest. As soon as the engine was switched off, the female was straight back on her eggs.
It now looks like the boat owner is getting the boat ready to move off, as he has an inspection booked, I assume to renew his licence as it has expired.
Is there anything I can do to stop him from moving the boat or is there someone I can contact?
I have checked the RSPB website and Coots are protected from 1 February until 31 August.
I'm not an expert but birds are protected by law and disturbing and destroying their nests is against the law.... But I don't know what can be done about it.
All birds are protected, and it is illegal to disturb the nest of any bird from the first twig being laid to the chicks fledging.
Maybe you could contact the police and ask for your local Police Wildlife officer - but you need to be very quick.
Good luck and let us know how you (and the coots) get on.
Thank you Sparrow and Tern for your replies.
They seem to have left the boat for the evening. I will contact the police tomorrow and enquire about Wildlife Officer. The two Coots are here all year round and this is the 2nd year they have nested and laid eggs. We had 5 babies last year!! I will let you know how we get on.
Hi
If he uses the boat it could be awkward and I can't see him paddling so the birds can keep up.
Its an awkward one
Ray
Good evening everyone
Just thought I'd give you an update on the Coots nest. The boat owner decided to start his boat up again, this time the female Coot sat tight. Again he was asked to switch the engine off and he got quite abusive. In the end I called the Police, who took it all very seriously and looked into the matter and basically the Coots are protected from February to 31 August and it is illegal to destroy, move or chase them off. I believe the gentleman in question has now been told this by the Police and the RSPB will be contacted tomorrow to see if someone with a Licence to move the nest can come and check it out. I guess if the nest can't be moved they will now stop the bloke from moving his boat or he will be in a lot of trouble.
Thank you to those of you who gave advice.
Claire
HI Cooty
This is really good news! Well done you and your wife for making it possible. :-)
I have the same problem.
I have just discovered a clutch of eggs and a rough nest on the back of my boat and two coots patrolling nearby.
They were not there 10 days ago.
How long before they leave the nest