2010

SM9737 : Dead water rail (Rallus aquaticus)

taken 13 years ago, near to Llanychaer, Pembrokeshire/Sir Benfro, Wales

Dead water rail (Rallus aquaticus)
Dead water rail (Rallus aquaticus)
I wish it could have been an image of the live bird but regrettably this one fell prey to a cat as has happened on a few occasions. These shy and secretive birds, although commoner along the east coast, frequent the marshy watercourses of the surrounding fields in winter here in North Pembrokeshire. They are particularly vulnerable in frosty weather when the wet areas freeze up and, no longer able to probe the mud for insects, they are forced out of hiding to search for food, sometimes reaching the point of starvation.
Water rails have evolved some unusual features: their bodies are laterally flattened to enable them to slip easily through the reeds, and, although seldom seen, they betray their presence by a range of peculiar sounds (grunting, squealing etc.) known as 'sharming' - listen to it here LinkExternal link (Archive LinkExternal link )
More about them here LinkExternal link (Archive LinkExternal link )

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Category: Bird
This photo is linked from: Articles: · Birds of the British Isles Automatic Clusters: · Birds [9] · Dead [5] · Pembrokeshire Coast [5] ·
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SM9737, 142 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Wednesday, 10 November, 2010   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 29 November, 2010
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SM 976 370 [100m precision]
WGS84: 51:59.6950N 4:56.9654W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SM 976 370
View Direction
NORTH (about 0 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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