A little while back this blog featured a coot’s nest below the Margaret Brown Gardens.

Since then the nest has drifted, or been rebuilt, near the railings, and people are still throwing things in at it. There is the remains of a chip cone, and so much bread that the coots never need go out to find food.

There is also a chick, under the protection of the mother’s wing, with a little red head – as bald as a vulture. But despite that, mum still looks very proud.

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Thanks to Dave’s comment(1). He thinks the nest I show is of another pair and sent this picture of the original nest ….

Dave says “I thought that this drifting boat may have caused this coot to abandon this nest or perhaps the recent thunder storm was the cause. I suspect that these coots have moved across to the other side of the river although I think that their chick may not have survived.”

The coot’s nest in question is built a few feet away from the bank of a well frequented public garden in Abingdon. On Friday the coot’s nest was decorated with primula.

During Friday night a traffic cone, and green bin cover found their way in near the nest. They were removed on Monday morning.

But now the nest is surrounded by shopping bags full of I don’t know what. So much bread finds its way down there that the male coot is forever chasing away ducks.

When nobody is looking he will hop in the water and jab for fish.