Over the years whilst fishing Pete I have seen Coot take all manner of things dead or alive, as well as small fish, fry are actually chased to catch them, tadpoles, froglets and what looked like a mouse or shrew once, Moorhens have a liking for fish fry and Mallards will also take tadpoles and froglets.
Just been watching a pair of Coot on a local pond fighting over a dead Perch about 4 ins long. I've never seen Coot eating fish before,apart from the ones at Pennington Flash which eat quantities of fresh water mussels I've only ever seen them eat weed and grass. Just wondering if anyone else has observed this behaviour? .
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 7th of May 2023 03:50:19 PM