Have just spent the last half hour watching a pair of Jack Snipe feed, from our back window. Had to check the bird book to find out what they were. Stunning markings on them.
Are you sure? If snowy conditions, unusual sightings do occur. Pair of jack snipe in a garden is highly unlikely in England. Woodcock are more likely. Common snipe maybe. Jack snipe. Got my doubts.
No, we’re sure they’re Jack Snipe. Have watched videos online to check, as know they are rare. We live near a wetland centre so it’s probably an advantage.
To be fair, I do too. In my lifetime, I have never seen two jack snipe out in the open together incl at any wetland centre let alone garden. Jack snipe are regularly misidentified common snipe. People don't realise quite how small snipe (and to a lesser extent woodcock) are. As you know they are rare, did you get any photo as it would probably be a 'first'. I've quickly done a search and can't find any photos of two jack snipe, let alone in a garden.
Unfortunately no photos, just good binoculars. Have compared photos of Woodstock and common snipe. Still think they’re Jacks.
https://youtu.be/nYLOQv-uwOw
The link is now working from BTO the difference between a Snipe and Jack Snipe!
The link is now working from BTO the difference between a Snipe and Jack Snipe!
Regards,
Ian.
Thanks for the link, Thomo. Hopefully the OP will have watched it and listened to the behaviour differences in particular. Certainly reflects my experiences of seeing them each Winter....
Just to update this, here's what BTO have said about Dec 2022.....
"December 2022’s snow and frost coincided with an influx of Woodcock reported from gardens. Despite the relatively brief spell of wintry weather, we saw the third-highest average count for Woodcock in gardens since 2003".
"December 2022’s snow and frost coincided with an influx of Woodcock reported from gardens. Despite the relatively brief spell of wintry weather, we saw the third-highest average count for Woodcock in gardens since 2003".