Albert Park Henlings

 I recently saw a post about there being many Moorhen chicks in the SE Conservation Ponds in Albert Park Lake.  So as it wasn't bucketting down (Saturday) or blowing a gale (Sunday) I took myself over there.  Astonishingly, Queens Rd was clear in both directions so I scuttled across to the Golf Club, saving a few metres and minutes.

On settling down at the most Northerly pond 2 chicks were visible, but their legs looked pretty robust.  
In a few minutes an Australasian Swamphen jumped into the pond and the two chicks squeaked and rushed over.  (An earlier post to BOAPL FB group had included this species breeding.)
Moving on towards the Pavilion another brood of Swamphens appeared.
At an exercise station I met the first Dusky Moorhen chick.  
There was another single Moorhen chick and an adult with 2 chicks in that area.  Then I came across a group of 4 chicks and 4 adults.
What has me puzzled is that my guess is 250 Eurasian Coots were in the area, but not a single chick of that species in sight.

On a later visit the Moorhen chicks were swimming.


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