Water Rail

🔍 Overview

A secretive marsh bird heard more often than seen, found in reedbeds and wetland edges.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Grey face and underparts

Brown back with black streaking

Long red bill and spidery toes

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Resident at Brooklands, Woods Mill, Arundel WWT, Pulborough Brooks, and Lancing Beach and Widewater. Can also appear in ditches and wet scrub after floods.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Pig-like squeals and grunts. Skulks in dense reeds but may emerge at dawn/dusk to feed along margins.