With its 'whiplash' call, the spotted crake is one of the rarest wetland breeding birds in Britain, although small numbers calling along the Nene and Ouse Washes annually.  There is no suitable breeding habitat at Paxton, but as a summer migrant (they winter in the Mediterranean), it is perhaps surprising that more than one hasn't been recorded here.

They are notoriously skulking birds, as was the one pictured here at Paxton Pits.  It was flushed from long grass and flew to the low branch of a willow tree, where it sat nervously for half an hour before flying back to its original cover.  Smaller than a moorhen, with a shorter bill than a water rail, look out for the next one!