Carr Vale Flash

For the first relatively warm day of the year I went to Carr Vale Flash Nature Reserve. I have visited this reserve a number of times over the last 5 months and have been really impressed by it. There are a variety of habitats present and some very good viewing platforms. Within seconds of setting up my tripod a wading bird came into view. I instantly thought it was a Moorhen but quickly realised that it was in fact a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus). I have only seen this bird on a couple of occasions before and it was surprising to see it out in the open. After pausing for a couple of minutes it quickly made its way across the reed bed infront of me.

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) at Carr Vale Flash.

I followed the Water Rails progress through the viewfinder of my camera. Suddenly it stopped, out of the reeds came a Weasel (Mustela nivalis)  Initially I thought it was a Stoat but this animal seemed too small, it also didn't have the characteristic long tail with a black bushy tip. The Weasel briefly looked at the Water Rail for a second or two before diving into the mound of vegetation to it's left in the photo below. This is certainly not my best shot but it was one of those moments that I will never see again.

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) and a surprise visit from a Weasel (Mustela nivalis) at Carr Vale Flash.

I was being watched: a female Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) at Carr Vale Flash.