Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Water Rail is one of the most secretive birds on the Sefton Coast — you're more likely to hear its extraordinary squealing call than to see it. The call is unmistakeable: a descending series of squeaks and oinks that sounds remarkably pig-like — it's called 'sharming'. Marshside's reedbeds hold Water Rails year-round. Cold weather sometimes forces them into the open on ditch edges where they can be watched. A surprisingly slim bird — it compresses its body to move through dense vegetation.
At a Glance
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Habitat | Reed bed · Dense marsh vegetation · Ditch edge with rushes |
| Diet | Invertebrates, small fish, seeds — picked from mud and water's edge |
| UK population | Around 2,000 pairs; winter population much higher; amber-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Regular year-round at Marshside in reedbeds; more often heard than seen |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation at Marshside RSPB. Usually heard rather than seen.
Identification
Slim, long-billed rail. Brown above, blue-grey below, with barred flanks. Long, red bill. Short tail, often cocked. Flicks tail. Much slimmer than it appears at rest — can compress to move through reeds.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the reed bed edges at Marshside at dawn in November–January. Listen for the pig-like squealing call. In cold weather they sometimes feed openly on iced-out ditch margins — excellent views possible.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Water Rail call sound like?
The Water Rail's main call — known as 'sharming' — is a descending series of pig-like squeaks and grunts that is deeply unlikely coming from a bird. It is often mistaken for fighting pigs or an injured animal. Other calls include a sharp 'kip kip kip' and a quiet clicking. The call is one of the characteristic sounds of marshes in autumn and winter.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.