When it freezes over the feeding station at Hawkley Reed Bed has produced sightings but a 'stealth' approach and conduct at the screen is required.

cheers geoff

Of course, for the past few years, the best site in GM for Water Rails in winter has been the canal at Elton Reservoir (at the point where the canal overflow is). When it's been icy, birds were seen daily and sometimes constantly throughout the day! And with views down to two metres!! Check out the photo galleries on the main site for an idea of just how close they come.

Having said this, I think last year wasn't a good year for them, with far less sightings than the previous 3 or 4 years.

Great tip - thanks, Martyn that will be on my list of New Year visits then - as you say, it's a nice round to include one of the coastal sites too.

Mere Sands Wood LNR is where I'll be heading out to see Water Rails this season. Last year in February and March they were seen regularly coming out to the grit trays at Lancaster hide near the visitor centre. It's also the same time the bitterns showed so well last year. Have a look at the Mere Sands Wood thread in the Lancashire and Merseyside section, it makes a nice stop on the way to or from Marshside RSPB or Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB in Southport.

Doc Brewster wrote:

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Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Unfortunately, Pennington isn't generally a good place to see Water Rail. They've popped up at a handful of locations but non are nailed on and most if not all are dependant on really cold weather to push them out of their usual reedbeds especially. You can often hear them well enough in Ramsdales Reedbed or Sorrowcow Farm Pond but in really cold weather the feeding station has most often proved fruitful for seeing them and when they do come out they often show very well too there.

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I remember back in the days when the feeding station was probably THE most reliable place for Water Rail in the whole of the NW of England. Every New Years Day started at Pennington with guaranteed Water Rail & Willow Tit from that hide. The Water Rails used to show for lengthy periods and show really well - murphys law that it was before I got into digiscoping!! Glad that you have now caught up with one, a lot further afield this year was one at Penrhos CP in Anglesey at the feeding station which showed well right next to a car park. I am sure now that you have broken the duck ( ) you will see lots more, it's always the way with bogey birds

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Yes, I can also remember visits to Pennington when we 'just popped round to the feeding station to tick of Water Rail & Willow Tit for the day" The other place I remember as being good for Water Rail (in the 1970's) was behind the scrap yard (dump?) at Point of Ayr. Watching them at dusk foraging around and inside rusting cars was slightly surreal

Best two places I know are the RSPB reserve at Conway and Woolston Eyes Frank Linley Hide.

Ian McKerchar wrote:

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Unfortunately, Pennington isn't generally a good place to see Water Rail. They've popped up at a handful of locations but non are nailed on and most if not all are dependant on really cold weather to push them out of their usual reedbeds especially. You can often hear them well enough in Ramsdales Reedbed or Sorrowcow Farm Pond but in really cold weather the feeding station has most often proved fruitful for seeing them and when they do come out they often show very well too there.

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I remember back in the days when the feeding station was probably THE most reliable place for Water Rail in the whole of the NW of England. Every New Years Day started at Pennington with guaranteed Water Rail & Willow Tit from that hide. The Water Rails used to show for lengthy periods and show really well - murphys law that it was before I got into digiscoping!! Glad that you have now caught up with one, a lot further afield this year was one at Penrhos CP in Anglesey at the feeding station which showed well right next to a car park. I am sure now that you have broken the duck ( ) you will see lots more, it's always the way with bogey birds

I tend to be a Pennington fairweather - that is, turning up when something mega is around i.e Red-necked Grebe - however I shall step up patrols.

cheers

Thanks John - yes I remember that day well! Surprised we haven't bumped into each other again. Yesterday I was hearing the equivalent of a "Fisherman's Tale" in the Eric Morecambe hide at Leighton Moss. It ran like this.....

"See that post over there? Well last Saturday morning there was a male kingfisher going to and fro from it for ages, and at one point a water rail walking up and down beneath it!"

I want photographic evidence!! I suppose at the same time there was a pair of Hen Harriers doing a food pass over the head of the kingfisher???

Paul Richardson wrote:

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Well it's happened - not at Pennington Flash but way out of county at Leighton Moss - my lifetime first glimpse of a Water Rail crossing a gap between reed beds right of Lower Hide - about one second, but it's a start!!

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Well done, that man!

I was with you at Pennington as we searched in vain - it remains a life-time eluder for me, but I shall 'put it to bed' this winter I am sure.

Well it's happened - not at Pennington Flash but way out of county at Leighton Moss - my lifetime first glimpse of a Water Rail crossing a gap between reed beds right of Lower Hide - about one second, but it's a start!!

Woolston eyes is another place that can be good for them. You need to be a member though.

If you don't mind an out of county sighting, you could try Inner Marsh Farm. I've had several views from just in front of the hide. Also a great close up view of one
in the ditch alongside the path to the hide.

If they are about i've started to believe they venture out more around dusk imo.

Thanks all for the useful hints! I will obviously have to be patient ... or maybe I could get lucky out-of-county next time a take a trip to Marshside. Need to stay out later, too, it seems...

-- Edited by Paul Richardson on Friday 20th of January 2012 03:17:13 PM

most recent views have been on the left side at the edmonson hide ,but be wary moorhens are in the same area so make sure you get a decent view,the other most recent sightings are right at the front of pengys hide.

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 20th of January 2012 01:44:20 PM

I saw one to the right of the feeding station a couple of years ago, not seen one since though.

Unfortunately, Pennington isn't generally a good place to see Water Rail. They've popped up at a handful of locations but non are nailed on and most if not all are dependant on really cold weather to push them out of their usual reedbeds especially. You can often hear them well enough in Ramsdales Reedbed or Sorrowcow Farm Pond but in really cold weather the feeding station has most often proved fruitful for seeing them and when they do come out they often show very well too there.

In front of Pengy's hide or Ramsdales hide seem to be the 'recommended' places. Saying that though, I've still yet to see one at the flash despite much searching.

Good luck. You'll need it.

I'd be grateful for any advice on where might be best to see a Water Rail at Penny Flash. Hanging around by reedbeds is the obvious answer but any =body got any tips for the most likely places?

Thanks!

Paul