Little crake and Bearded tits at WWT Arundel

Little crake. Photo credit: Garry French

April 2011. A small bird has caused a big fuss as hundreds of keen birding watchers swooped to WWT Arundel to catch a glimpse of the rare wader.

The last recorded UK sighting of the little crake was in 2008 at Exminster marshes in Devon, the last recorded sight of the little crake in Sussex was in 1985. Hundreds of keen birdwatchers visited WWT Arundel hoping to catch a rare sight of the crake on British shores.

Paul Stevens, Reserve Manager at Arundel WWT said: "The sighting of this bird is hugely exciting for the centre. WWT Arundel has recently completed an eight month habitat restoration project which is clearly paying off. The new reed bed grassland is essential for successfully attracting larger numbers of wading birds to the reserve.

Bearded tits returned after 8 year absence
"Two weeks ago, bearded tits made a return to the reserve after an eight year absence but we never expected to attract such a rare species as the little crake. The little crake winters in Africa, migrating to Eastern Europe in search of reed bed breeding habitats. It is believed that this vagrant is a young female who has either been blown off course or is an explorer seeking out new territory."

Updates will be posted on WWT wildlife sightings pages.