Water Rail

Rallus Aquaticus

Stephen Laycock made an exciting discovery at Hainault Lake — he spotted a Water Rail! News quickly spread, setting the website's photographers buzzing with anticipation. The Water Rail features a grey body, black and brown streaked upperparts, black and white barring on its flanks, a long red bill, and pale pink legs. They are known for their secretive behaviour and typically fly under the cover of dark. They use their long beaks to search through mud and shallow water for food, consuming a wide variety of items such as worms, spiders, leeches, and occasionally small mammals.