As suggested when I posted on another topic I'm reporting the sighting of a banded rail at Pauatahanui, Porirua. I was out wandering with the hope of spotting fernbird and popped into the hide overlooking the pool by Grays Road. I opened one of the viewing ports and was surprised to see a banded rail apparently sunning itself a short distance away. I got a number of photos as the bird sat still, just occasionally turning its head and once having a good shake. It stayed in the same spot for 5 minutes or so before a passing harrier spooked it and it disappeared into the reeds.


This was my first rail sighting and as I understand it they're not commonly seem in the lower half of the north island. Maybe a sign of an improving environment at Pauatahanui?
A report has been submitted on ebird as suggested.