Mystery (to me) birds

[colincurry]

I came across a couple of pairs of the birds shown in the snap. They were feeding on the riverbank, near or at the water's edge. They took off like bullets from a gun. They looked to be in size between a thrush/fieldfare and collared dove. There was a small flock of fieldfares on the opposite bank; but I don't think these are they.

Can anyone put me out of my misery, please?



Thanks

Colin

[oxycera]

Common Snipe

[Jonners]

Aye, Snipe for me too Colin

[Dogghound]

I agree Common Snipe.

[colincurry]

Thank you all very much.

I have clearly led a sheltered life and have not come across these before.

Colin

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Thank you all very much.

I have clearly led a sheltered life and have not come across these before.

Colin

The behaviour you describe is absolutely typical for snipe and once you've observed it its easy to subsequently id them even if you don't get a good look!
I love snipe, brilliant birds with stupidly long beaks!

[david156]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I love snipe, brilliant birds with stupidly long beaks!

Totally agree.



David

[Picidae]

The one on the left looks much shorter winged to me than the (definite) Common Snipe on the right (prominent white trailing edge to wings show nicely too for this species). Left bird has very strong yellow tramlines and lacks the prominent white trailing edge to wing in flight which makes me wonder whether you've captured a Jack Snipe here too.

Did you notice any difference in flight pattern? Did one call and not the other perhaps. It wouldn't be unusual for both species to feed together this time of year.

Size wise, always difficult to judge but Jack Snipe very roughly nearer to size of a thrush, Common nearer to size of as Collar Dove!

[colincurry]

I can really add nothing to what I have already said - it all happened so fast.

Colin

[John]

I can see where you are coming from with the Jack Snipe but they normally don't take off like bullets (as Colin has stated) but more of a hesitant flight which is usually short lived.

I would go for both of them being Common Snipe.

John

Originally Posted by Picidae

The one on the left looks much shorter winged to me than the (definite) Common Snipe on the right (prominent white trailing edge to wings show nicely too for this species). Left bird has very strong yellow tramlines and lacks the prominent white trailing edge to wing in flight which makes me wonder whether you've captured a Jack Snipe here too.

Did you notice any difference in flight pattern? Did one call and not the other perhaps. It wouldn't be unusual for both species to feed together this time of year.

Size wise, always difficult to judge but Jack Snipe very roughly nearer to size of a thrush, Common nearer to size of as Collar Dove!