Today's sightings
Can you see a bird in this photograph? Can you see it now? Ohh there it is! First winter Jack Snipe on the reserve today Copyright JSLees WWT Jack Snipe Jack Snipes [...]
Can you see a bird in this photograph?
Can you see it now?
Ohh there it is!
First winter Jack Snipe on the reserve today Copyright JSLees WWT
Jack Snipe
Jack Snipes are present on our reserve most winters in small numbers. They are often overlooked as they are very hard to see due to their skulking behaviour. These tiny shy waders can occasionally be seen from our hides, but are normally seen while we are working on the reserve. Their skulking behaviour is highlighted by their scientific name Lymnocryptes minimus, meaning lake, cryptic and small! However they normally are only seen when they flush out of the grass from your feet. It is almost impossible to find one before it flies, so we were delighted to see this today. This winter we have seen very few of them probably because it has been so mild in Europe. They breed in Northern Europe in extensive water logged bogs, and fly south for the winter.
The Reserve
Jack Snipe 2
The Tack Piece
LESSER SCAUP 1 female
Ruff 15 including a male in almost full summer plumage
Redshank 30
Golden Plover 450
Lapwing 2000
Dunlin 1300
Wigeon 1700
Buzzard 2
Peregrine 1
The Holden Tower
DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE 13
Peregrine 1
Buzzard 4
White-fronted Goose 200
The Zeiss Hide
BITTERN 1+
Water Rail 1
Cetti's Warbler 1
The South Lake
Great-crested Grebe 1
