JACK SNIPE GIVES ITSELF UP

On a bright but bitterly cold day and in Arctic gear, I gathered with T Bros, Dodge, Bulldog and Kojak to see if the north easterlies would produce anything. The Shelduck count went up to twelve, we always have a passage at this time of year into spring and some stay for a while, they have bred once.

Many birds appear on and around our feeders, mostly Tree Sparrows but there are surprises. Today it was a Jack Snipe which bounced around for the whole day, giving crippling views and provoking a frenzy of photography. Jack Snipe are regular winter visitors to Beddington in varying numbers. The odd bird has been seen this winter but nothing so obliging as this bird.

The Jack Snipe showed well

The panels between the golden back stripes look darker as the bird turns round

The Jack Snipe having a rest and catching a few rays. Note that it lacks a central crown stripe (in comparison to Common Snipe)

A Tree Sprog eyeing up the Jack Snipe, there can't be many places in Britain where you could see these two in close proximity

The Water Rail still giving excellent views. From photos, it appears to be supplementing it's diet with red millet, put out for the Tree Sprogs

Tree Sparrows are on the feeders regularly. Beddington is the only place in London or Surrey where you can easily see them 

Reed Bunts prefer feeding on the ground

The Dunlin were still present today, feeding on a small strip of water between the frozen lake and the shore