The Buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis) is May’s bird of the month.

This rail species is found sparsely throughout eastern and coastal areas of Australia, inhabiting wetlands, swamps and other vegetated waterways. In the Illawarra, they can sometimes be seen foraging on mudflats and among vegetation fringing local lagoons and will also venture along creek lines and into parklands.

They are a naturally shy species, and rarely stray far from dense vegetation cover, which they will quickly retreat to if disturbed or startled.

In Stanwell Park, there are now established breeding pairs at the northern and southern lagoons. I was lucky to photograph this adult out in the open grass on an early, overcast weekend morning – just before the stir of people sent it scurrying off into the nearby reeds.