STEVE ASHTON'S WILDLIFE GALLERY

October 2008

A return for the Jack Snipe.

I had intended for a venue change this morning, but with yesterdays Jack Snipe, and the lack of any clear cut chances to get a photo away from obscuring reeds, a return to Grove Ferry, and the Feast hide was the order of the day, arriving on the reserve at 9 o clock. The weather was looking rather unsettled, with dark clouds massing to the West, so I made my way straight to the Feast hide. On arrival, Martyn Wilson, Allan Ashdown and Steve Ray were all present, photographing a Water Rail as it made its way along the front edge of the Island in front of the hide. Although not ideal photography weather, it was not long before the camera was out of the bag, and clicking away with the others. We were in the hide for 30 minutes, before we realised that the Jack Snipe was still present, exactly where we had left it yesterday. That goes to show how hard they are to spot in there natural habitat. We waited for an hour, but it remained well hidden, with just a part of it visible through the reeds. The other birds present was much the same as yesterday, with a few flocks of Finches flying over the pool, again flying North. We decided on a walk, and left the hide, visiting the Harrisons Drove hide, which held 1 Ruff and 2 Lapwing, (that did not take long to write up) and then on to the Marsh Hide via the White house, the Grove to Wickhambreaux road, the Middle Drove Orchard and then the footpath along the Southern edge of the reserve, cutting back to the Marsh hide. This is a preferred walk of Martyn and Allan, and on this trek, we noted 12 House Sparrows and a couple of Blackbirds. (enough said). From the Marsh hide, we saw 1 Little Egret, 5 Water Pipits, 1 landing by the Kingfisher post, giving excellent views, 3 Meadow Pipits, 4 Stonechats, and a Kestrel, before making our way back to the Feast hide to see if the Jack Snipe had moved. Martyn pointed out a Male Merlin, flying low over a field, and a few more Meadow Pipits were seen on the way. On arrival at the Feast hide, the Jack Snipe was still in the same place, so Martyn, Allan and Steve returned to the ramp, in search of the Pectoral Sandpiper, leaving me watching the Snipe. 2 Spotted Redshank had joined the rest of the earlier seen birds on the pool, and I noticed a Moorhen, feeding along the pool edge, before turning and walking towards where the Jack Snipe was resting. It then stumbled across the Jack, startling it and sending it running to another part of the island, stopping briefly at a clearing, allowing me to get a few photos. Back on the ramp on the way out, I added a Sparrow Hawk to the days sightings, and about 12 Fieldfares landed in a tree in the paddock, looking smart as they still were showing signs of there summer plumage. A few Redwings flew over as well.