There were a few walking about too. They have such long necks and they put them under the water and come out with yummy things to eat. The lake is very full of vegetation and sometime people get caught in it (and they have died.) and the water is not very clear.
We saw mallards (Male and female) right up close. The female (which is the most plain) has very pretty blue feathers under its wing. They were fun to watch.
We saw a very funny one and it took me a bit of time to figure out what it was because I thought it was a duck!
For your science lesson for the day, please read on.
Appearance
Coots are mainly sooty black with a white bill and forehead shield. They superficially resemble pūkeko, but are smaller – 38 centimetres long, weighing around 550 grams. Mainly aquatic, coots have lobed toes. Their heads rock back and forth as they swim.
Feeding and habitat
Coots dive to gather aquatic plants or invertebrates, which they bring back to the surface to swallow. They also graze ashore. Shallow bays on medium-sized lakes with plenty of raupō (bulrush) and other shelter are their usual habitat, but they also visit lakes in urban parks. Most long-distance flying is done at night.
Nesting
Coots make floating nests of twigs and raupō attached to lake vegetation such as willow, and usually raise two clutches. After breeding they gather in large flocks.
While figuring out what it was one site I went to was like a blog. Someone asked why the photographer did not use red eye on the camera....the bird has a red eye. I am hoping that now that they are starting to nest that we might be able to see some at the lake.
It was lovely to see these as well....the blossoms have to be at least twice the size of my fist. Just lovely!
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