Jack Snipe Joy

[antwain]

Everyone knows the joys of finding that special bird, especially if its a bird you've been trying to find all winter. I felt those joys this morning when, after trudging along the muddy banks of a water channel at Doffcocker nature reserve, I finally found my quarry. The bird in question is the fantastically camouflaged Jack Snipe and I've been searching here all winter and haven't found one. This morning though I thought I'd have another go as the weather had been pretty bad and most of the ground was probably frozen. This meant that if there were any Jack Snipe about they'd probably be in the only area with running water and that would be in the water channels at the edge of the marsh. I got to Doffcocker and headed straight for the channel, which looked very promising-muddy edges with running water contrasting with the snow covered marsh. Making my way up the channel I occasionally stopped and scanned further along hoping to glimpse anything before I flushed it. I was doing the same here early Jan and found a Water Rail. No Water Rail today, but three Common Snipe surprised me though, exploding into flight before me and zigzagging away. A pair of Goosander, still here from Sunday, weren’t far away, loafing in the shelter of the island and Reed Buntings fed on the edge of the channel in front of me. I had now nearly reached the end of the channel and after scanning the final stretch began to walk to the end. Then, just as I had lost hope at the end of the channel, a small snipe was flushed, rising in the air without uttering a sound. Yes, A Jack Snipe. I saw its shortish bill, definitely shorter than Snipe, and its yellow streaks down its back gleamed in the sun. It flew a little farther than other Jack Snipe I've seen here in previous winters, about fifty yards away into a open area of marsh. Keeping my eye on exactly where it landed I then moved closer and closer to where it had landed. I had my camera ready for that unforgettable image by the time I'd reached the open area of marsh, but like many times before it had miraculously disappeared. Scanning the area revealed nothing and so I took one step forward for a better look. That was a mistake because it then flew up from one yard in front of me. I couldn't believe it, I'd been looking right there a moment before and I'm sure it wasn't there. And that exactly why I love Jack Snipe. Antony Wainwright

[winkle]

Jack Snipe are a figment of birdwatcher's imagination. I have looked and looked for years; been to every every hot spot in SE England and never seen one.

Therefore have decided they don't exist.

Yours with an immense amount of jelousy

[Richard Ford]

Winkle is correct, Jack snipe do not exist, otherwise I would have seen one too wouldn't I! :-C

Well done antwain. :t:


Mind you I felt the same way about bittern for years.
They do exist because I have managed to see two, now.

Does anyone else find that birds are like Buses, ones you have seen a certain species for the first time it seems to happen again and again?

Maybe it's just me!
I finally saw a Med Gull a few years ago after doughting their existence, since then I must have seen 3-4 every year, I think its just a case of getting your "eye in" with species like that.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/cheesebunting/img/medgull.JPG

As a Kid I remember seeing my 1st and 2nd Barn Owl within weeks of each other.


Rich

[antwain]

You're right, some birds are like buses. I hadn't seen a single Water Rail until I went to Leighton Moss on a freezing winters day. When I got there I saw about twelve all out in the open. One even walked under me as I was relieving myself behind some bushes. Now I see them about twice a year.

[Andrew]

Lovely story Antony and I agree about the buses theory too.

[peter hayes]

Anthony that was really nice. It is for reasons such as you gave that people do get attached to particular birds. I have had one glimpse of a Jack Snipe through a scope, and I would love to see one with my own eyes much closer up. Great stuff!

[kingfisher]

Well done Anthony, i have been searching for Jack Snipe for many years and never have seen one, but i shall never give up, and i know one day i will bump into one, just like my first Barn Owl in the late 70's then watched and became close to them as they produced a small family as they got used to me being around, something i shall never forget.

Kingfisher

[Stuart]

Ive had the joy of seeing jack's snipe on the ground, but not for a while!! They do exist and bounce up and down, like they are trying to take off, very weird.....