This beautiful Water RailW was spotted and photographed by Gary Smith on 16th March 2010 in one of the gardens at Raffin, near Stoer lighthouse.
There have been several sightings of Water Rail in Assynt this year already.
This one was probably just passing through and stopped for a break and to feed. They eat plant material and small animals.
Although they are very shy and retiring and easily overlooked there are occasional breeding records from Assynt.
A. Summers
Single bird over Culkein Drumbeg (DAH). Possibly same bird seen over Bay of Stoer (Charlie Leeson) (14/08)
Seven adult birds Clashnessie Bay and three Loch Dhrombaig (DAH) (14/08)
Juvenile bird quartering ground, Raffin area (DAH) (14/08)
Adult female with juvenile, Bay of Stoer (Charlie Leeson) (14/08)
Four adult birds, Clashnessie Bay (Anne Nicol) (13/08)
At least two birds calling but flying unseen in low mist over Clashnessie Bay (DAH) (13/08)
Single adult bird, Clashnessie Bay (DAH) (13/08)
Three animals off Clachtoll Broch (DAH) (13/08)
