Showy Water Rails.

Water Rails are funny little birds, they don’t like to fly, mostly staying hidden in reed-beds making weird noises. Infrequently a birder catches a glimpse of one as it scurries across gaps between reed-beds. Their calls and songs are termed ‘Sharming’ and have been likened to a pig squealing. However, around the bird hide at Llangors Lake in the Brecon Beacons they have been showing more frequently of late.
In winter sometimes they can be either flooded or frozen out of a reed-bed. Which is the case currently I’m not sure. They are quite carnivorous and I have seen them attempting to eat carrion on a number of occasions - once feeding on a long dead Pheasant. They will also fight each other and other species of birds without needing too much encouragement.
I spent a cold hour in the hide at the above site a few days ago and indeed saw up to four Rails - albeit fleetingly. However, one bird showed for a few seconds longer on one occasion and I managed to get a shot.



I may go back if this cold weather persists.