If I was still a Twitcher, chasing around the country to tick off rare and unusual birds, this could have classed as a mega tick. Yes, I have seen them before, but they are very secretive birds of freshwater wetlands, spending much of their time hidden in the reeds. There are about 1,100 pairs breeding each year in the UK, though a lot of European birds come over in the Winter, so not that common.
To see a glimpse of one is quite a feat, to be able to get a shot of one is wonderful.
The bird in question is a Water Rail, related to the more common Moorhens and Coots.
That is a brilliant sighting indeed! and to capture it too, well done! I was lucky enough once....to see a water rail with its chicks! That was a wow moment!
