The estuary of Villaviciosa – The Water Rail

The water rail is a difficult bird to watch. It lives amongst the reeds on wetland sites and I’ve certainly heard more than I have ever seen. They make a distinctive call like a piglet grunting and squealing. I sat for over an hour with 3 water rails in view. They all seemed to possess they’re own territory and walked their patch with a jerking motion in search of food. I was happy to get the photos below with the bird out in the open rather than skulking around in the reedbed.