Jack Snipe

[Lesser Spot Finder]

There appears to be larger than normal number of Jack Snipe throughout the country. I have flushed two in the last week on my local patch, Tices Meadow, and have had prolonged views of one bird. The London Wetland Centre has turned up the odd one or two with one being taken by the local Peregrine. Local birders have told me that they to have been seeing unusually large numbers.

It might be worth checking out your local Snipe haunt. Look out for the bird which errupts from ther ground and lands a short distance away without calling as it does. A shorter bill and more pronounced golden braces on the back are diagnostic and with good views are easily seen.

Richard