Wader ID - long shot

Deb London · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010, 05:33 PM

Hi guys,

This picture was taken at Brent Reservoir, London, with a small camera on maximum zoom.

The following are cropped from this or similar, so apologies for the poor quality.

1. I'm pretty sure this was a Common Snipe but would prefer a second opinion.

2. There was a small group containing what I think were more snipe. But I wondered if there was more than one species of bird in these images.

All opinions gratefully received, as always.

ChrisJB · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010, 05:37 PM

The top one is a snipe I'd say. As for the others I just can't make them out. Sorry.

Chris

faz · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010, 05:41 PM

hi deb no 2 looks like a snipe as for the rest cant tell from the pics

Picidae · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010, 05:42 PM

top one is Common Snipe

The 'closer pic' shows at least two more snipe sp. (top left) but images really aren't clear enough either to rule out Jack Snipe or indeed, ascertain what the others towards the bottom of the pic are!

Deb London · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010, 05:49 PM

Hi people,

Thank you!

Been looking for these beggars twice now. I really couldn't get any closer. Well I did, but that's when I fell in the reservoir.

And if you look at that water, you can see why that wasn't desirable. (God, do they really make us drink that stuff?)

No idea how to get nearer with buying fancy equipment that I can ill afford.

[There were some very tempting disused boats nearby, but I'd already got the wrong side of the 'get orrrf our patch' brigade when they caught me the wrong side of one of their locked hides. Goodness me, I felt like the poor relation.

(And I wasn't wearing camo, having to combine the trip with a shopping trip. I can see how a bright coat might have been a tad annoying under these circumstances).]

Deb

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 04:47 AM

Yesterday the only waders recorded by the Brent birders were 25 Snipe + 2 Lapwing + they tend to be thorough, though always possible something else dropped in.

Deb London · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 06:03 AM

Thanks aeshna5,

Heard the Peewits (calling). Unfortunately, the main hide is inaccessible to the public, and they sounded like they were a little to the north of that. I couldn't spot them.

Such a shame that you cannot gain proper entry to this place. I saw other birdwatchers going round the front of the small hide (hence I followed

). What choice is there when the place is so exclusive? I don't necessarily expect access to a hide. But if there is one, and associated fences, that block my view that is unfair. Especially a great big one with plaques telling us how the hide was opened by Bill Oddie no less! Cheers Bill for blocking my view!

Deb