Moorhen

The moorhen can be found wherever there is water, be it a small ditch, a garden pond, a large lake or a canal. In looks they are very similar to the coot, but moorhens boast a few personality quirks of their own.

The moorhen (Gallinula Chloropus) inhabits central and eastern lowland areas, and is rarely seen in Scotland, Wales or northern England. Once it has established a home, the territorial moorhen tends to stay there - even over cold winter months. Moorhens will conscientiously, and sometimes fiercely, defend their territory from any intruders. Young ducklings, unknown moorhen chicks and even wandering hedgehogs will be loudly escorted from the area. During the breeding season, moorhen pairs can be heard literally screaming at their uninvited guests.

Dedicated moorhen parents will raise two or three broods of offspring every season. Their families are unusual, in the bird kingdom, in that young 'teenagers' from earlier broods will stick around to help their parents feed and guard their subsequent hatchlings. This family or community spirit ultimately helps to ensure that more moorhens survive to populate more areas of the UK.