Navi Mumbai: An uncommon water rail (Rallus aquaticus) bird was sighted at TS Chanakya wetlands, off Palm Beach Road in Nerul on Tuesday. Wildlife photographer Yash Shetty spotted and clicked the bird. The migratory bird was spotted here after nearly eight years, claimed the bird watcher. The rail family bird breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe, Asia and North Africa. It is a shy, skulking bird feeding among reeds and prefers not to come out in the open.The Panvel resident is a frequent visitor to the spot. While Shetty was clicking Baillon’s crakes feeding, suddenly the bird came beside them, skulking. It breeds in the Palearctic region (Eurasia) and comes in winter to warmer countries. The migrant winged one was last sighted in Malad in 2019, almost seven years ago, claimed Shetty.They stay from October to February or March depending upon the winter. As European winters are quite harsh, they come to warmer countries. The Seawoods side wetlands have good amounts of reeds and marshes which have suitable feed for them like insects and invertebrates.Shetty said, “It was difficult to ascertain its sex as both sexes look alike in nonbreeding plumage. The bird is around 2 years old. They prefer reed habitats where they can forage for food and hide from predators like hawks. The TS Chanakya offers favourable conditions for it to stay here throughout the winter.”Shetty saw the water rail feeding there for an hour, almost till it went inside. Upon learning about its arrival from Shetty, around 50 people, including birders, visited the spot Wednesday morning. However, only nine of them sighted it after 10 am, he guessed.
