coots and their nest - Fulica atra

I was watching the male for a while as he pootled about trying to pick up bits to add to the nest. Unfortunately I couldn't get much in the way of clear shots, but I did get full view of all the rubbish they were using :(

The first 2 shots show a lovely piece of cellophane that he had collected and how proudly she sits with it by her side, the next 3 show him stretching up to pull off some old leaves (sorry, no clear shots were possible), carrying them then having handed them over to the wife, and the last shot just her on the nest.

The nest building materials really are a sad indictment of our society, good shots though.

Strange nesting materials, though good series of the nest being built, Louise!:thumbsup:

So Coots, Ducks and Swans use rubbish to build tbeir nests. Blackbirds have done that for years. I wonder what other species make use of such litter - and if it is gathered mainly to 'decorate' the nests rather than just as a building material... ?

Good point, Catherine - a lot of birds do decorate the nests and what better to brighten up up the nest than a nice bit of plastic :)

I checked the nest a week or so ago and I saw the female still sitting there (but didn't catch any fluffy heads...still, it is well hidden by leaves). I went today and the nest was empty... so I hope it's just because the family were off on a daytrip :)

Anyway - this is just a shot to show exactly how much rubbish they used on the nest.

Ahh, that's better, you've swapped the photos, thought I was going mad, as I couldn't see any rubbish.:)

Ahh, you spotted the deliberate mistake ;) Yes I snapped a different Coot pair and mixed up the shots!