CWP - Jack Snipe jackpot........

7-8 Oct - A look in at pit 74 on 7th revealed that the Black-necked Grebe is still present, and, famous last words, looking settled......

On 8th, Robin Griffiths had reported up to 3 Jack Snipe, and I located one on the bank near the rafts. Amazing views of it for the next hour or so.....feeding in the open, exceptional for such a cryptic and skulking species, bobbing in textbook fashion and displaying the compact shape, shorter bill and facial markings diagnostic of the species - with a Common Snipe nearby for comparison. Online photo (not mine!) from Spurn canal scrape. Black-necked Grebe again present.

My first visit to Shorncote in a while did not reveal any great surprises, but nice to see 2 Stonechats returned hopefully for the winter. Also present - Little Egret, Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff, with duck numbers building, including approx 40 Teal.