Common Moorhen

A Moorhen in Roskilde harbour in February.

The Moorhen is primarily a freshwater bird but it also breeds occasionally in brackish areas with reeds, where it builds its nest. It might also nest in a thicket of sea buckthorn or the like, but this is unusual. Skovholmene and Hyldeholm in Lejre Vig are the most important breeding grounds, but Moorhens have also been found several times on Ringø and Eskilsø. In autumn and winter there are very few around but they are occasionally seen in harbours and other places where they are fed.




Key to the Distribution Map.

Moorhen - population trends