09/04/2023 Sefton Park, Liverpool

Water Rail: The Easter Bank Holiday weekend continues and before the the Easter meal at mums Dawn and I took Autumn to Sefton Park for a nice walk out and a chance to catch up with the tame water rail that has been in the park for a few months now. 

This 200 acres park is one of the most wonderful greens spaces in all of Liverpool. There is plenty of space here for mixed woodland, grassland, meandering pathways and the parks highlight its beautiful victorian Palm House. 

Besides the glass Palm House the other highlight Stefan park has to offer is a bold and very showy water rail. One that is coming out into the open to feeding in the shallow steams of Fairy Glen regardless of the dog walkers, families and other park users. 

This was my second visit hoping to see the parks star bird and after dipping it last week I was happy to hear It had been seen the day before today. However just as I arrived the bird had been showing well before skulking off back into the undergrowth just before I got there. 

I waited a short while as a small group of other interested birders turns up hoping to se it, some for the first time others their second and third. The bird eventually appeared from under the backside vegetation and walked right out into the middle of the stream and started feeding. 

The small crowed of birders congregated along the shore of the stream and within moments space was a premium here. We jostled and found our own small space and then I lost my footing and performed a two-footed tackle right in to the stream as I slipped. Soggy footed and with a muddy bum, I made my excused and left. Thank to the fella who helped me up and thanks to Pete Brash for his gen. 

15/12/2021 Pennington Flash

Water Rail: Said to be one of the most elusive birds that we have, shy and reclusive staying out of sight in the reeds, water rails are usually heard and not seen by their unmistakable loud piglet like squeal sound that they make.But occasionally during the winter months they can be seen feeding on split seed around the feeders of Pengy's Hide.

Winter is a good time to see water rails as the vegetation cover has died back and the birds are forced out into the open to search of food. 

The bird was typically nervous only coming out in full view for a few minutes at a time, occasionally rushing in to pick up a few seeds before rushing back to cover. 

On a day like today, after a few weeks of bad weather and thick cloud it was good for the soul to get out under the blue skies and lemon light of the winter's morning before returning to work and logging on back on. 
 

03/01/2014 Parkgate Marsh

Short Ear Owl: With the weather forecast predicting 70mph winds and knowing there was going to be a 10.1 meter high tide I thought I would spend my day watching the Parkgate  high tide extravaganza!

Field Mouse: All the predators had their eyes peeled for small mammals like this Field Mouse. I witnessed Black Headed Gulls feasting on mice and rats and local Herons stuffing their crops!

I also counted three SE Owls, two Kestrels and one ring tail Hen Harrier all on the hunt for an easy meal.

Short Ear Owl: The highlight of the day was this SE Owl which came in close before soaring right over my head before disappearing past the houses.

Although the forecast got it a bit wrong as the winds were not that strong, it was still a very windy, very damp and very grim day, I was kind of gutted as when the SE Owl came close the clouds closed in and light was lost! However the day was brightened up my watching thousands of birds flying around Parkgate Marsh.

Water Rail: It wasn't just Field Mice and other small mammals getting pushed off the marsh by the tide. I counted eight Water Rail scampering for their lives off the flooded marsh.







Great White Egret: It was also great to see this GW Egret making the most of the 'fast' food!

02/12/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Water Rail: Burton Mere has to be the best place to see Water Rail, this secretive bird has been showing all week like a star!

Ok, more of the same, perhaps! But what a bird. I know they are wide spread and common but they are so elusive and shy however this guy loves the lime light.

26/11/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Water Rail:Today’s morning started with lots of strimming around both sides of the Reception Hide, which meant very little birds of the feeders around the centre and birds on the main scrape.

All this disturbance was for a specific purpose, to cut rides in to the reeds in order to make seeing the resident Water Rails easier. And just as the wardens put their strimmers down the invisible bird made an appearance.

 

It’s amazing how Water Rail's evaporate and disappear in to their environment, behind the reeds.