adult

adult flying European distribution adult

Identification

The long legs and feet, short upright tail and pot-bellied appearance identify this bird as a rail and its long, pointed, usually red bill tells you immediately which species it is. You may see just the flicking off-white undertail feathers as it scoots back into the reeds but a better view will reveal rich brown and black upper-parts, heavily barred flanks and immaculate Dunnock-grey under-parts. If flushed they struggle low over the reeds with long legs trailing behind.

Habitat

Breeds in well-vegetated reedbeds and swamps. Winters in reedbeds, swamps, ditches and marshes.

Migration

British, Irish and western European birds are largely resident. Towards eastern Europe birds tend to be migratory.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Water Rail is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Kirkcolm, Dumf & Gall 26/08/2010	Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk 17/08/2010	Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk 17/08/2010	Far Ings NR, Lincs 15/08/2010	Far Ings NR, Lincs 15/08/2010
Far Ings NR, Lincs 15/08/2010	Far Ings NR, Lincs 15/08/2010	Brandon Marsh, Warks 16/08/2010	Upton Warren, Worcs 15/08/2010	Far Ings NR, Lincs 15/08/2010

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Water Rail breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Albania
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Britain
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lichtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine

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	Mud fights at Titchfield Haven	Sunday 5th October 2008
	Water Rails get up close and personal in Hampshire   read on

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