Water Rail at Martin's Haven

Following on from the excitement of the wonderful Hoopoe, a more overlooked bird at Martin's Haven is the Water Rail that was first spotted by Derek G (many thanks). It is best seen feeding first and last thing in the horse drinking area right by the Deer Park gates. If startled, it flushes and either scuttles back under the culvert into the scrub, or flies downstream to the denser cover. We have heard rails several times this winter, but I have not flushed one for a couple of years.

Other visitors to the garden over the weekend included a Grey Heron at dusk on Saturday (now I know why I have so few newts in the pond), while both male and female Kestrel were seen most of Sunday. Also several Peregrines, including one being mobbed by a pair of Chough and some gulls on Anvil Point.

The Deer Park had a small fall of beautifully coloured (and large) Wheatears on Sunday: at least 20 individuals spread out from Renny Slip to Wooltack Point. No Black Redstart, though. The Stonechats are also back on the Deer Park with at least 3 pairs displaying.

On The Gann: 3 Dunlin, a pair of Teal, single Dabchick and female Goldeneye, and the female Red-breasted Merganser.