JohnFreeman1310 Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 We have had the occasional moorhens around a way for a while now but there seems to be more and more moving in to the area I'm not a wild fowler or very into duck but they are a nice sign on the canal with the ducklings there's also a few more exotic looking duck I'm not sure hat they are but they are white with a gold an green wings with a light brown head i don't have photos as i only have he iPhone camera just wondering if anybody else is seeing more than the common mallard on there canals now? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Could be goosander your seeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Moorhens are rather fond of Ducklings...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Egyptian goose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Big 'orrible feet,just like the wife's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Big 'orrible feet,just like the wife's! Your wife has webbed feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Moorhens don't have webbed feet..the wife on the other hand...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 could the duck be a male pochard, or female golden eye , or female smew, or cross of farm -yard white duck and mallard, incidently a moorhen here is more sensibly another name for the grouse ie a bird that lives on the moor a bit like a hen, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnFreeman1310 Posted April 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) That's great just googled then and yes the other duck i was talking about was a golden eye thanks island. John Edited April 4, 2014 by JohnFreeman1310 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 could the duck be a male pochard, or female golden eye , or female smew, or cross of farm -yard white duck and mallard, incidently a moorhen here is more sensibly another name for the grouse ie a bird that lives on the moor a bit like a hen, We call the Moorhen...' A "Waterhen" over here. They where starting to become Scarce' But our ongoing mink trapping is paying off and their numbers are returning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoggysreels Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Moorhens are rather fond of Ducklings...... Never heard or seen that happen .... Coots can be intolerant of ducklings, but seldom are a problem ... Mink, Rats and Gulls are a major problem, regards ducklings, but not Moorhens ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 We call the Moorhen...' A "Waterhen" over here. They where starting to become Scarce' But our ongoing mink trapping is paying off and their numbers are returning. Water HEns here also, or 'panni hens'in boyghood slang. A word picked up I think from servicemen who had served in India and Burma during WW2. Mink decimated them on much of the Tweed but they seem to be increasing in numbers of recent years. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 We call the Moorhen...' A "Waterhen" over here. They where starting to become Scarce' But our ongoing mink trapping is paying off and their numbers are returning. Waterhens in my part of the country too - although they are being out muscled by their larger cousin -the coot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 No Moorhens/Waterhens here in the outer islands but some on Skye, (waterhen seems a much better name,) We call the Moorhen...' A "Waterhen" over here. They where starting to become Scarce' But our ongoing mink trapping is paying off and their numbers are returning. interesting to hear of the mink trapping in Ireland are they a huge problem there, i worked as a full time mink trapper for several years and have seen the damage done especially to ground nesting birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 No Moorhens/Waterhens here in the outer islands but some on Skye, (waterhen seems a much better name,) interesting to hear of the mink trapping in Ireland are they a huge problem there, i worked as a full time mink trapper for several years and have seen the damage done especially to ground nesting birds I believe 'moorhen' comes from 'mere hen.' When I was a lad they were referred to as 'gallies.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 I believe 'moorhen' comes from 'mere hen.' When I was a lad they were referred to as 'gallies.' Make sense Iv'e often wondered why a water bird should be named after a moor, thought it was named by the same man who named a bird that fed mostly on cockles an Oyster Catcher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW682 Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 I believe 'moorhen' comes from 'mere hen.' When I was a lad they were referred to as 'gallies.' 'gallies' makes sense........ (I am sure many knew this anyway, but I've learnt something ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorhen Moorhens, sometimes called marsh hens or river chickens, are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. Most species are placed in the genus Gallinula.[1] They are close relatives of coots, and because of their apparently nervous behavior (frequently twitching tail, neck and grinding their backs) are sometimes called "skitty coots". They are often referred to as (black) gallinules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Aye the coots and moor hens tend to be the first to dissappear when mink show up and are usually a good indicator for the presence of mink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Funny i should see this topic because i saw one for the first time ever pottering around the flight pond where i was for some rat's. Watched it through the scope for a while, twas a nice sight to see as i have never seen them around her before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 They very nearly disappeared on my place in recent years but have made a recent comeback. I put it down to buzzards as they definitely take them. I have seen a single mink once a few years back. Buzzards are still here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 They very nearly disappeared on my place in recent years but have made a recent comeback. I put it down to buzzards as they definitely take them. I have seen a single mink once a few years back. Buzzards are still here. Interesting. The moorhens on my shoot have almost disappeared over about eight years. I know there are mink in the area, but buzzards have increased in numbers quite dramatically. Twenty-odd years ago, the old lady next door used to ask me to pot her a couple of moorhens now and then, which she loved to eat. She always said they weren't worth eating after Christmas! Personally, I don't think they're worth shooting--or eating-- anytime...Though I did once get a sporting shot on one flying high towards me on a driven shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoggysreels Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 Mink or Buzzards! ... if there are Mink, l'd certainly suspect them being the main cause for the decrease in Moorhen numbers ... The day ( l doubt will ever come ) that Mink are erradicated from these Isles, will be a day to rejoice. They have done untold damage to wildlife. Accident escaped and worse, the so called liberated Mink have devasted species in certain areas. Its time there was a bounty on the head of Mink, Grey Squirrel etc ... its would ease the burden on wildlife and give rural employment opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 Mink or Buzzards! ... if there are Mink, l'd certainly suspect them being the main cause for the decrease in Moorhen numbers ... The day ( l doubt will ever come ) that Mink are erradicated from these Isles, will be a day to rejoice. They have done untold damage to wildlife. Accident escaped and worse, the so called liberated Mink have devasted species in certain areas. Its time there was a bounty on the head of Mink, Grey Squirrel etc ... its would ease the burden on wildlife and give rural employment opportunities. I'm not sure why there shouldn't be a bounty on mink tails, the mink would have to be humanely killed and perhaps by a licensed hunter, I remember meeting a licensed trapper from Iceland who was able to make a living through the summer months, I was employed by DEFRA and later by SNH a cracking job, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piebob Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 I'm not sure why there shouldn't be a bounty on mink tails, the mink would have to be humanely killed and perhaps by a licensed hunter, I remember meeting a licensed trapper from Iceland who was able to make a living through the summer months, I was employed by DEFRA and later by SNH a cracking job, I don't think there is any need to be a licensed hunter. The Scottish Mink Initiative (not in your area) has been making some great progress in reducing mink numbers by means of volunteers around the regions. Volunteers start by monitoring rafts for footprints, etc. Then if any mink are present a trap or traps are put in place. Trapped mink are then humanely despatched, normally via air rifle. http://www.scottishmink.org.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 I don't think there is any need to be a licensed hunter. The Scottish Mink Initiative (not in your area) has been making some great progress in reducing mink numbers by means of volunteers around the regions. Volunteers start by monitoring rafts for footprints, etc. Then if any mink are present a trap or traps are put in place. Trapped mink are then humanely despatched, normally via air rifle. http://www.scottishmink.org.uk/ Great idea and website we blanket trapped the whole islands at a huge cost but are seeing an increase in bird numbers, your example should be copied throughout Britain and would be a great asset to all wildlife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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