The first Snipe flush count was carried out on Monday. This autumn the weather has been very mild and relatively dry, so birds could be later arriving in Britain from eastern Europe. Resident Common Snipe in Britain are joined by birds from Scandinavia, Iceland and mainland Europe. Jack Snipe don’t breed here but overwinter here after breeding in northern Europe and Russia. The overall count was 42 birds (including 15 Jack Snipe) mostly in Big Meadow with 6 in School Pond where the conditions have improved from last year.
Clio Graham