WATER RAIL

The Water Rail is more than often heard rather than actually seen through its piglet squeals. The Water Rail has a bright red bill with a streaked brown and black back. It has a grey face and breast with barred black and white flanks with a short tail and pink legs. There are only 1,100 pairs across the UK that can be found at watersides, dense sedge, reeds, riverside thickets and woodland ponds. The best view I ever had of a Water Rail is at the Kingfisher screen at RSPB Fairburn Ings where it kept creeping out from under the reeds to catch fish.

Length: 22-28cm (9-11in)

Wingspan: 38-45cm (15-18in)

Weight: 85-190g (3-7oz)

Average Life: 6 years