Coot behaviour

A visit to Pennington Flash this morning. Construction work continues on upgrading the facilities. The parking machines have gone, and I had to pay in the golf shop. Apparently barriers are being installed which will close off access after 10pm - and stop the late night parties which have been taking place.

I watched the Coot carrying this object around, and bashing it against a rock or two. At first sight I thought it was a pine cone, but looking at it more closely in the image it may be a collection of shellfish. Mysterious. That beady red eye seems intent on finding a way of getting at the protein so well protected by little shells.