Snipe

[vinnychameleon]

I have just seen my first snipe YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!! I decided to have a look at what was in my local woods today so I walked up and just as I was getting to the woodland edge among some birch trees a snipe erupted out from almost under my feet and flew incredibly fast off into another part of the wood. I was a bit suprised as I thought snipe lived near lakes and rivers and this wood is about half amile from a River.

[Gill Catton]

I've stumbled across snipe all over the place including woodland edge (though not within the interior of dense woodland). Of course woodcock are often within woodland but I don't see them as often sadly.

[badgerwatcher]

Oh, I'm so happy for you! I love snipe! They are so well camouflaged that it is thrilling to see them. I believe they winter in wooded upland areas, may be wrong, my books are downstairs.

[vinnychameleon]

Sorry guys i've just discovered it was a woodcock not a snipe. I'm still ecstatic infact the Woodcock is a first for me as well . It didn't have as long a bill a as a snipe and was too big to be a jack snipe. So it was a woodcock ive always wanted to see a woodcock and now I have

[Gill Catton]

Yes they're fab birds, I've only seen them three times whereas I've seen lots of snipe - so really you're even luckier!

[Ollie]

Soon as I read woodland and erupted from under your feet and flew off very fast I thought Woodcock. You are very lucky to have seen one. I have only ever seen one myself and that was years ago.
Roger

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Soon as I read woodland and erupted from under your feet and flew off very fast I thought Woodcock. You are very lucky to have seen one. I have only ever seen one myself and that was years ago.
Roger

I thought the same. I see a few every year on my walks.

[Nicola Main]

Lucky you Vinny. About a month or so back I seen my first Woodcock up in the wood where I walk my dog, my dog flushed it and up it rose and flew away in a circle. I was as thrilled as you are and I hope you get to see it again! Nicola.

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Sorry guys i've just discovered it was a woodcock not a snipe. I'm still ecstatic infact the Woodcock is a first for me as well . It didn't have as long a bill a as a snipe and was too big to be a jack snipe. So it was a woodcock ive always wanted to see a woodcock and now I have

From your initial description, I thought this may have been a Snipe .... well done anyway! .... a reasonably widespread but difficult bird to see.

I didn't find one at all last year but in 2005 I stumbled (almost literally!) across a few during my Christmas holiday in the Scottish Highlands.

Here is one that stayed still long enough for a photo before erupting to use your term .



Richard

[JeffH]

Nice one Vinny. Snipe or Woodcock - any first sighting is a thrill. Here's a couple of ID clues that might be helpful in future - apart from the difference in size, Snipe usually take off zig-zagging rapidly for a few yards before going clear away. Woodcock, however, are renowned for rising with considerable noise of wings and flying off with a twisting flight.
Woodcock are particularly interesting birds during the breeding season (March - June) when the males perform a display flight (known as 'roding') - this involves them repeatedly flying around a regular circuit at dusk making a low croaking sound. It's fascinating to see/hear.

Jeff