Juvenile Spotted Crake,North Cave Wetlands,Saturday 20th August 2016.

With the prospect of seeing this bird after hearing several reports that it had been showing well,it was an easy choice for a few hours out after completing my week of nights.
 A steady walk around to Reedbed Lake where the bird was residing,didn't reveal much in the way of birds except a few feeding flocks of Sand Martins overhead and some nice views of both Little and Great-crested Grebes.
 Eventually i arrived at the Reedbed Lake and settled down on one of the benches to scan for the Crake.The only hinderance was the blustery south westerly wind unfortunately.
 Several false alarms included a juvenile Water Rail and a Blackbird that thought it was a Crake feeding in amongst the reeds.
 After the umpteenth rain shower attempted to soak the small assembled group of visitors(Thank god for the nearby viewing shelter) the bird eventually showed very briefly at relatively close range.
 Another 20 minutes passed by and then at last prolonged and superb views were enjoyed of this reedbed skulker,as it fed unconcernedly along the reed edge,sometimes in the company of the afore mentioned juvvie Water Rail.
 It was great to see one so well and at pretty close range,particularly when feeding alongside the Water Rail and also a Common Snipe of which it looked certainly smaller.It was typically scatty,like all rails can be,jumping at the slightest sound and certainly having a dislike towards the local Greylag flock,disappearing on a couple of occasions....who can blame him or her!.
 After at least 40 minutes of watching this cracking bird i travelled back over the Humber to Lincolnshire contented with enjoying my best views of a Spotted Crake to date.

Juvenile Spotted Crake.

Juvenile Spotted Crake.