‘Secretive’ Water Rail bird caught on camera in Woodberry Wetlands

Secretive: Water Rail spotted on Woodberry Wetlands (Photo: Woodberry Wetlands)

A “secretive” bird called a Water Rail was caught on camera rummaging in Woodberry Wetlands, in what experts called “a special sight”.

The water rail, or Rallus aquaticus, has chestnut-brown and black with a grey face and a long red bill.

It was filmed exploring the Woodberry Wetlands nature reserve in Stoke Newington and the video was posted on Twitter for national bird day.

One of our camera traps recorded a water rail enjoying the sheltered pools and reedbed habitat we created on the northern edge of the reservoir, with support from @heritagelottery. They are secretive birds so this is a special sight! #NationalBirdDay pic.twitter.com/VThEljwfX1

— Woodberry Wetlands (@WildWoodberry) January 5, 2018

Water Rails eat small fish, snails and insects and usually keep out of sight, though are spotted more often during Winter.

A spokesperson for Woodberry Wetlands said: “One of our camera traps recorded a Water Rail enjoying the sheltered pools and reed-bed habitat we created on the northern edge of the reservoir, with support from [the Heritage Lottery Fund].”

He added: “They are secretive birds so this is a special sight!”

More to follow…