The Jack Snipe is much smaller the a Common Snipe. Where do you see it?Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
The Jack Snipe is much smaller the a Common Snipe. Where do you see it?
I've seen it/them a couple of times. I'd probably have said it was a Woodcock if I had'nt also already seen one of those up here too. I work on a site just near Dumfries. Its a closed site with damp, slightly boggy sedge / brush inside and out. The other day I saw a Woodcock fly over at about dusk, then I also saw this smaller, similar bird which gave a thin, reedy but short call. I'd also seem something at night, outside the fence which was slightly smaller than a Thrush I'd say...that was just 'loitering' in the short grass near the fence and I couldnt get a good look. Last night I saw one over the other side of the site, about a mile away. Again at night, it was smaller than a Thrush and was initially spooked by the vehicle lights. But it flew up then re-landed about 10 yards away by the fence. I got a reasonable look. It was nervous but hung about a bit and I noted the bill was quite short. Then it flew up over the fence and I lost it. I've not seen it bobbing mind!? What do you think Wharfego?
Jack snipe are very secretive and illusive winter visitors. They skulk about under heavy undergrowth, in ditches etc. It could have been one
Some ace photos here
Last edited by Derby Tup; 02-12-2012 at 09:43 AM.
Poacher turned game-keeper
I disturbed a tawny owl this morning whilst collecting eggs. I heard a kerfuffle and something dropped down at my feet. I just had time to realise it was a beautiful owl before it shuffled behind an old tin bath. I hope it'll be ok;it would've been much warmer in the barn. It was a real treat to see such a fabulous bird so close up.
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Stef's tawny owl obviously enjoys a bit of winter sun :w00t:
Poacher turned game-keeper
Difficult to say without seeing the bird myself. I've only ever knowingly seen a Jack Snipe twice; once at pre-dawn in the headtorch beam whilst walking through a marshy area, the bird flew up and dropped again a few yards later, and another time whilst walking through a reedy pasture one flushed up in front of me then dropped again a short distance away. I think the short flushes and lack of call are indicative of Jack Snipe whereas the larger Common Snipe tends to flush up high and fly a long way whilst calling its warning sound.
Nice view of a roe deer bounding through the grounds of Rydal Hall this afternoon on our return from a snowy Fairfield and Red Screes.
I've had a few roe deer sightings lately. Not sure if its the time of year or not. One in daylight stood in a field, one on my night run caught in my headtorch peering from the forest (the pair of glowing eyes made me jump) and a pair skittering about in the road near Laverton. That was brilliant, I stopped the car and watched them looking for a gap in the hedge to get in the field. They eventually leapt over a farm gate. Such beautiful creatures.
buzzard in thackley woods.
must be nearly 8 years since i last saw it.
thats if its the same one.
how long do they live for?
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