During the winter months, moorhens, like many other birds, undergo changes in their behavior and habitat preferences. Unlike the warmer seasons when they prefer the dense vegetation along the banks of ponds, lakes, and rivers, moorhens in winter tend to venture out into more open areas such as meadows, parks, and open waters.
The reason for this change in habitat choice is likely due to the availability of food. In the winter, the dense vegetation along the water’s edge may become less abundant, making it more challenging for moorhens to find the necessary food resources. By moving to more open areas, they have better access to food sources such as grasses, seeds, and insects.
I have had the opportunity to observe moorhens during the winter months, and it is quite fascinating to see them adapt to their new surroundings. In my local park, I have often spotted moorhens foraging on the grassy areas near the pond, pecking at the ground to find food. They seem to be quite comfortable in this open environment, despite their usual preference for dense vegetation.
One advantage of moorhens venturing out into open areas in winter is that they become more visible to observers. In their sheltered habitat during the rest of the year, they can be quite elusive, only revealing their presence through their distinctive guttural calls. However, in winter, their movements in more exposed areas make them easier to spot and study.
It is important to note that moorhens are still capable of swimming and diving, even in the winter months. They may still make use of bodies of water for feeding and roosting, but they are less reliant on the sheltered vegetation along the banks.
To summarize, moorhens in winter shift their habitat preference from dense vegetation along the water’s edge to more open areas such as meadows, parks, and open waters. This change is likely driven by the availability of food resources. By moving to these open areas, moorhens can access grasses, seeds, and insects more easily. This behavior change also makes them more visible to observers during the winter months.