Coots and Moorhens, Laratinga Wetlands
The Laratinga Wetlands at Mt Barker in the Mt Lofty Ranges usually have a large number of Eurasian Coots and a moderate number of Dusky Moorhens. On my recent visit the numbers were reversed. There were a few Coots, but they were far outnumbered by the Dusky Moorhens which seemed to be everywhere.
It was also interesting to note that there were many juvenile moorhens getting about in the lagoons. The high rainfall of the latter part of last year may well have triggered a very productive breeding season.
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Coots and Moorhens have great squabbles, as their territories often seem to overlap. Could watch their going-ons for hours!
You are right Brenton – they seem to make very poor neighbours.