Water Rail
23rd January 2012
Found among the reed beds and thickly vegetated areas of freshwater wetlands, the Water Rail's cryptic plumage provides excellent camouflage with chestnut-brown and black upper-parts, grey face and under-parts, black and white striped flanks and a distinctive red bill. While their flight ability appears weak this is misleading as they can undertake lengthy journeys, despite this when facing danger they are more likely to use their powerful legs to run away.
They primarily feed on insects, snails and small fish found in shallow waters however during harsh weather they also feed on vegetation, carrion and will take larger live prey in the form of frogs and small birds.
The most distinctive characteristic of the Water Rail is its range of strange, un-bird like calls known as ‘sharming’, this includes a variety of grunts and squeals which have been likened to squealing piglets. A vocal species that calls throughout the day and night, although calls increase at dawn and dusk, they are often heard but can be more difficult to see especially during the breeding season from mid-March to July when two broods are usually produced.
Latin name: Rallus aquaticus
Population Numbers: Due to their secretive nature exact population counts are hard to determine, however resident UK numbers are estimated to be from 700 – 1,400 breeding pairs (RSPB), while in Wiltshire the resident population may be as high as 100 (Birds of Wiltshire, 2007). Despite decreases in the 1960’s and 1970’s they are considered to be locally common within the UK. Numbers are boosted in winter when migrants arrive from Europe.
Where to see and when: The winter months are the best time to see this secretive species when resident UK numbers are bolstered by winter migrants from the continent. Normally feeding in shallow waters they are particular visible during harsh winter weather when snow, frost and ice can force them into the open to feed.
Of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s reserves Smallbrook Meadows and Langford Lakes provide ideal wetland habitats for the Water Rail. At Smallbrook Meadows a range of meadows, ditches, woodlands and a large pond provide a variety of habitats for a wide range of wildlife, while at Langford Lakes a numbers of lakes and a half-mile stretch of the River Wylye provide a wide variety of wildlife with suitable habitats.
What’s being done: Throughout the UK wetlands are on the decline and within Wiltshire they are particularly rare and therefore of great wildlife value. Many species now rely on wetland reserves making the management of such sites vital to ensuring the health of wetland ecosystems.
For the Water Rail the management of water levels and vegetation is particularly important as they require wetlands consisting of a ‘mosaic of still or slow moving freshwater, muddy margins and tall emergent vegetation e.g. sedges, rushes, reed-mace and reeds’ (Birds in England, 2005).
At Smallbrook Meadows management focuses on maintaining and enhancing the pre-existing range of habitats in order to provide the maximum diversity of habitats. Since acquiring Langford Lakes in 2001 extensive work has been carried out to extend the inundation zone, the area between dry ground and open water which is an ideal habitat for a range of species, and further islands, ponds and areas of shallow water and marshland (scrapes) have been created. Work is now extending to the creation of new areas to attract both resident and migrant bird species including the Water Rail by extending reed beds and creating a large pool with numerous scrapes. By carrying out this work in addition to the management of pre-existing areas of the reserve the range of habitats and therefore the wildlife attracted to the site can be increased.
