Water Rail

I’d never seen a water rail before. One day at Branston Water Park, my brother pointed one out, but I wasn’t quick enough.

It was wet and cold and I woke up very stiff and took some time to loosen up. I did head off for my shift in the Wolseley Centre Shop and the others were quite excited about recent sightings of a couple of water rail (and an egret, but we weren’t in luck today).

I had a fairly late lunch and took my sandwich into the bird hide. As I arrived I noticed the water rail very close. So lucky. I watched and took a few photos. Made my day.....

But things got better and better. The feeders were full of beautiful creatures. The Reserve was blissfully quiet and I had the tits, the fighting robins and the nuthatches to myself. I spotted a tiny Goldcrest but it didn’t show up against the twigs. Coots, chaffinches - lots......

And then I noticed the kingfisher. He was just on my right. He was fishing. Twice he settled on the top of the feeders. Twice he spotted me before I could focus.

I spent far too long there. It was freezing. But I have absolutely no regrets. I was blessed.....




P.S. I forgot to mention the Canada Geese. Two of them came arrogantly in to land. They hit the ice and skidded and, well, fell over. It was hilarious. For once I wished I’d been filming a video.........