tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485553852636709933.post1636927291673611338..comments2023-09-04T23:13:53.973+01:00Comments on Wino Wendys Wildlife World : Kestrel overload, and other hormonal birds, at Regents ParkWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16504648883313789101noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485553852636709933.post-19618734278296258362014-03-19T22:58:14.376+00:002014-03-19T22:58:14.376+00:00Great picture of the Coots. They are feisty little...Great picture of the Coots. They are feisty little birds, and always make me smile when I think of a couple of situations in my youth.<br />I used to go night fishing in my late teens with friends, when the fishing season started on June 16th. (It has been abolished on lakes now) The male Coots used to be quite territorial, and would fight at night to protect their patch.<br />This brought about what the fishing fraternity used to call 'whirring noise syndrome' - You would be sat on your seat box half asleep at 3am in the morning and you would hear some squawking followed by a whirring noise growing louder. This was actually the wing beat of a low flying vanquished male Coot looking to get away from the fight coming directly towards you, but in pitch black and unable to see where he was going. One of my friends took a direct hit to his chest that knocked him off his seat from one of these frantic avians on the Little Britain Cutting in Cowley, causing a massive commotion and much laughter when those around us realised what had happened. The bird was stunned, but soon regained its senses and stomped off in to the undergrowth in a most indignant manner. Try going home to your better half in the morning after a night away and convincing her that the bruises on your chest were caused by a low flying Coot on a night fishing session :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16032050919547875559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485553852636709933.post-20584997550464994382014-03-19T20:51:11.986+00:002014-03-19T20:51:11.986+00:00It was a pleasure meeting you today as well, Wendy...It was a pleasure meeting you today as well, Wendy. I'll post updates on the Wiki about the Kestrels' nesting milestones as and when. Thanks for your 'Grey Wagtail' card - hopefully it won't be the only one I see in Regent's Park this month!birdman_eustonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09232990514600770658noreply@blogger.com