My planned visit to Spurn Point today was cancelled yesterday evening when, on a routine visit to North Cave, news broke of a Spotted Crake. Seen initially on Saturday, it showed briefly around 5-15pm yesterday, to a couple of birders. Despite some serious watching by two or three of us, it failed to show again, in the West end of Reedbed Lake. I was on site at 7-00am today and had several bouts of excitement as 2 Common Snipe, a juvenile Water Rail and juvenile Moorhen, took it in turn to emerge from the reedbed before the Spotted Crake appeared around 7-40am. Those who know this lake will be aware that this particular reedbed is some distance away, consequently the images are poor, to say the least. In fact, concentrating on the Crake as a dot in the viewfinder, I was unaware of the approaching juv Water Rail (left), which made a good comparison. This was my first Spotted Crake in twelve years, previous record of two at Tophill Low on 20th August 2004!
The Crake remained in view for around thirty minutes, walking left along the reedbed until two Snipe flew in and it retreated into the reeds. I was surprised no-one had joined me by 9-00am and couldn't hand over its last position - must be the joys of retirement! Comments are closed.
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