Moorhens

I was out in the garden after dark last night topping up the bird feeders and I could hear a Moorhen calling overhead.

The calling and the movement of the bird lasted for around 5 minutes. Judging by the calls it flight was straddling the brook by approx. 50m each way.

This led me to believe that they are coming into breeding condition as the nocturnal flight is usually a territorial/mating display.

Today there was a confrontation of Moorhens in the garden. We usually have up to 5 Moorhens visiting but these 2 became very aggressive to each other. A brief fight ensued and a lengthy chase around the garden and in to the brook.

The dominant male presumably asserting his authority.

Apologies for the quality of the pics.