Surprise Find

[Guest]

This is the Australian Spotted Crake.

They are an interesting little bird in the fact that they appear in a few numbers and then disappear for ages. They do not appear to be migratory, and appear after heavy rains, which we have had recently.
This is the first one I have seen at our local wetlands and it is always a thrill to have a new capture, especially as their natural habitat is fast disappearing with the reclamation of wetlands.

[Guest]

Re: Surprise Find

That Lyn is a great shot of a colourful and unfamiliar bird which I had not seen or heard of before now.

[Guest]

Re: Surprise Find

Agree with Mark.

[PeterBirder]

Re: Surprise Find

A great find Lyn and a great shot.

Your Australian Spotted Crake looks very much like our European variety, and equally difficult to find.
Ours are however migratory.

Thanks for sharing.

[Floribunda]

Re: Surprise Find

That Lyn is a great shot of a colourful and unfamiliar bird which I had not seen or heard of before now.

Thanks Mark - I had to be very patient for this shot. I saw a flash of his white tail feather disappear into the reeds and decided to sit and wait and hope he might give me a better look. These birds are very timid and hard to get close to, hence my title of "Surprise Find" as I didn't expect to see a Crake.

Agree with Mark.

Oh dear Terry - Don't agree with him it only encourages him! . But then .....if I disagree with him, it also encourages him, so it is hard to win!

A great find Lyn and a great shot.

Your Australian Spotted Crake looks very much like our European variety, and equally difficult to find.
Ours are however migratory.

Thanks for sharing.

The jury seems to be out in Oz as to whether these are migratory or not Peter, the consensus is that they are not, but they disappear for ages and then suddenly are back. I have been frequenting this wetland for several years now and this is the first one I have seen. That of course doesn't mean they are not there - I may have just got lucky on this occasion.