Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Location: 27/5/2024, Rushall Canal between Gillity and Fiveways Bridges, Park Hall, Walsall, UK

A lone, sedentary, resident, silent moorhen (ca.30cm) was spotted perched on matted reeds, perhaps a nest, located on the edge of Rushall Canal beyond Gillity Bridge (date engraved 1866). It had an impressive black plumage and a classic red bill with a pointed, yellow tip. Its legs were a pale yellow-green. It repeatedly moved its head to the left and gazing across the surface of the canal waters. Known to eat plants like duckweed, pondweed, seeds and berries, it is also partial to earthworms, snails, spiders, insects, small fish and eggs of other birds. Breeding between March-August, a nest is constructed among aquatic plants, eggs are incubated for 21 days, sometimes shared by other hens, and both parents and the young from earlier broods feed to chicks. Being fed up to 45 days, they become independent at 52-99 days. Conservation issues arise from canal side management that removes bankside vegetation, and maintenance of canal banks must be on a rotational basis where some areas are left uncut. Feral mink, foxes and large pike, may be a threat to adult birds and/or their chicks. There are ca.270,000 breeding pairs in UK.

Posted on May 28, 2024 03:58 PM by