Water Rail composite

I can't decide if the pattern white stripes on the flanks shown in these photos show that there are four birds here, or can they vary substantially with, say, preening. I will keep an eye out at King's Dyke and see if any of these patterns repeat. If so, perhaps it will be possible to recognise individuals and make a more accurate assessment of how many birds are present at the site...

Fieldfares at the waterhole

Another Water Rail

This is the third time I have posted photographs of a Water Rail in front of the hide at King's Dyke NR. I had kind of asumed it was the same bird each time. But having looked again at my shots, I think you can tell from the pattern of white stripes on the left flank that they are all different. There was another bird still photographed there yesterday, so there at least four birds coming to the seed under the feeders by the hide. I wonder what the total number there is...

Evening Lapwings at Titchwell

Drake Shoveler

Sneaky Great Spotted Woodpecker

13 Cranes at Eldernell

And here are 8 of them in a field (digiscoped).

More Water Rails