Moorhens are normally the most timid of the local waterbirds. Those living on our canals prefer to keep the width of the water between themselves and walkers.
The adult bird here was the first I ever remember swimming towards me as I came down the tow path.
It became clear that the bird was still feeding four well-grown chicks. This task is normally shared by the adult pair, but there was no sign of a second adult here.
The birds were right by Newbridge, and were probably used to getting a share of the bread brought for the resident ducks.
A group of half a dozen ducks were indeed lurking nearby, though they seemed to have a better sense that I wasn’t going to feed them.
