Baillon’s Crake

🔍 Overview

An incredibly elusive and rare visitor to the UK. Sussex has had very few records of this tiny, secretive rail.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Small size, grey face, and bluish tones

Fine white spotting on back

Short bill and fast skulking movements

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Most likely to appear in dense wet reedbeds or shallow scrapes at places like Pulborough Brooks, Rye Harbour, or Amberley Wild Brooks. Mainly late spring or early autumn.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Occasionally emits a high-pitched trill or bubbling call. Highly skulking, often only seen briefly at dusk or dawn.