Coot, Mere Sands, Lancashire

June 17, 2010:
Today at Mere Sands, there was an idyllic sight where Coot chicks played on water-lily pads on a secluded pool, the attendant parent largely leaving them on their own.



The lily leaves were scarcely depressed as the the chicks climbed on and off. Seen close up, their black feet seemed surprisingly large and a sparsely feathered front pate was already developing.







A second visit almost eight weeks later found one chick to be almost fully grown although possibly a little bored.