Coot  (Fulica atra)

All-black and larger than its cousin, the moorhen, it has a distinctive white beak and 'shield' above the beak which earns it the title 'bald'. Its feet have distinctive lobed flaps of skin on the toes, which act instead of webs when swimming. It patters noisily over the water before taking off and as shown in the image can be very aggressive towards others. This little quarrel involved both male and female of two pairs who were nesting in close proximity to each other at Hardwick Hall, Co. Durham. The dispute lasted a couple of minutes with even the chicks becoming involved.