Little Crake

🔍 Overview

An extremely rare and elusive vagrant rail, recorded only a handful of times in Sussex, mainly in spring.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Size: Very small crake (16–18 cm)

Male: Grey face, breast, red eye, brown back

Female: Buff-toned and less contrasting

Bill: Greenish with red base in male

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Rarely appears at wetlands with dense reedbeds like Pulborough Brooks, Amberley Wild Brooks, or Arundel WWT.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Series of soft “prrp-prrp” calls. Hides deep in reeds—almost never seen unless flushed.