We were joined this morning by Jon Carter, whose expert eyes are a definite bonus. Despite the recent cutting of large swathes of the marsh vegetation, snipe numbers are up on last month and higher than this time last year. School Pond yielded 47 common snipe, and 1 jack. In Big Meadow we counted 23 common and 1 jack. Positive identification of the jacks (who have smaller beaks) thanks to Jon. He was also able to confirm that the unusual looking bird glimpsed flying across the far corner of Upper Sowerholme was a woodcock. And then picked up that there were at least another two. Given that woodcock has been spotted in this location before, Jon thinks it is a regular winter site for this species. School Pond is hosting more teal than it appears from the footpath. We eventually agreed on a total of 20, some of which had been hiding in the rushes.
Queens Award for Voluntary Service