Coot

A brooding coot.

The Coot is primarily a freshwater bird which breeds in lakes and ponds, but at the southern end of the fjord, where the water is saltiest, there is a small breeding population.


A coot’s nest at the edge of the reeds.

The great majority have their nests in the reeds on Skovholmene in Borrevejle inlet, where you might be lucky enough to see their loveable and entertaining young.


Coot chicks.

In autumn and winter thousand-strong flocks gather on the fjord. They prefer shallow, sheltered areas. At this time of the year too they are concentrated mostly in the southwestern part of the fjord, but not as much as when they are breeding. The breeding population of Coots is more or less constant, whilst autumn and winter numbers are increasing. However, Coots find their food, both plant and animal, on the fjord bed and so they have problems when ice closes their larder. As their mobility is poor it is hard for them to get away, and in hard winters they die in large numbers.




Key to the Distribution Map.

Coot - population trends