A Water Rail at Lemsford Springs

18th January 2022

My first visit to Lemsford in the New Year and very noticeable there was far less vegetation, possibly due to the effect of some heavy frosts. Four to five Green Sandpipers were on parade spending most of their time feeding in the gin-clear water.

But there was also a fair amount of flying around and calling in some territorial disputes.

                          

A Grey Wagtail was also feeding in the margins with its yellow markings contrasting well with the dark gravel and green marginal vegetation.

Snipe can sometimes be seen at Lemsford, but are often sleeping and partially hidden in the vegetation. However today three were wide awake and feeding continuously in the stream.

But the star of the show today was the Water Rail that had been showing on and off over the last few weeks. I can't remember the last time I photographed a Water Rail here and what a lovely way to end the day.