Water Rail call... A danger to them?

[charlieb]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

I also pointed out that they have not been living along side them for that many years, maybe they will become even rarer as the years go on.

But they have been living alongside European Mink for years...

[Jenny W]

Water Rails aren't that rare - just pretty elusive. They are Green listed and so have a fairly stable population. I've never heard of them suffering from American Mink predation either (thankfully!).

[FUDGEY]

All I'm saying is it's call will do it no favours. A mink with in 100 yards will investigate on hearing this call. It won't be successful everytime, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that it leads to their downfall many times in a year and the chances are no one will ever see it.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

All I'm saying is it's call will do it no favours. A mink with in 100 yards will investigate on hearing this call. It won't be successful everytime, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that it leads to their downfall many times in a year and the chances are no one will ever see it.

But using that logic so would a Cat, Fox or Stoat investigate it. As said before Water Rails are elusive not rare + I don't believe Mink predation on them is a significant threat + as Mink are probably declining due to control + in some areas due to increasing Otter populations, isn't likely to be significant in the future.

[PMG]

I can see what you're getting at with the call and why they should have a call like that I don't know - but I have had their nightime singing pointed out to me in the western isles and its a wonderful gentle whispery little song - the absolute opposite of the squealing pig daytime call!

I should imagine if a mink appears they will jump and fly - they fly much more strongly than their body shape leads you to think - like coots - who are also strong fliers. The worst predation of rails at high tide is done by herons believe it or not and a heron can get a rail down pretty quick. Its quite upsetting to watch - you wish the heron would stick to rats and frogs