Was it a Jack or Common Snipe (No photo)

stevensi · #1 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 10:00 AM

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone could help identify if i saw a common or jack snipe yesterday. I was walking in a field on a farm when by a flooded area a snipe came darting out. It flew about 200-300 meteres at a very quick pace but then dived back into undergrowth. Besides the tell tale sighting of the large bill it also had a white underbelly. If it helps I'm situated in Southern Ireland.

Sorry for not getting a pic but you would need to have been the bionic man to have got a shot of it.

Regards

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 10:37 AM

Difficult by description alone. jack snipe is smaller with shorter bill. More predisposed to crouching when disturbed rather than flying until the last minute. My bet is it was a Snipe.

John · #3 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 12:32 PM

Yep I would go with Lance also. Another tell tale sign if you see it on the ground is that a Jack Snipe continually bobs up and down.

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Difficult by description alone. jack snipe is smaller with shorter bill. More predisposed to crouching when disturbed rather than flying until the last minute. My bet is it was a Snipe.

stevensi · #4 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 01:50 PM

Thanks for that...i thought as much. I hadn't seen one in ages I remember seeing quite a few maybe 20 years ago in fields around me but as with progress these fields have now turned into housing estates and apartment blocks.

Adam Cheeseman · #5 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 04:58 PM

Also, Common Snipe fly off noisily in a zig-zag fashion and go off quite away. Jack Snipe are normally silent, fly in a straightish line, and drop down again after a few metres.

Cheers,

Adam

ChrisJB · #6 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Also, Common Snipe fly off noisily in a zig-zag fashion and go off quite away. Jack Snipe are normally silent, fly in a straightish line, and drop down again after a few metres.

Cheers,

Adam

I'll echo that. When I've disturbed wintering Jack Snipe on the moors, they will fly up and down fairly swiftly. Snipe will zig zag away, usually great distances and giving a rasping call in the process.

Regards, Chris