WWT

12 Oct - Another WWT fix, and a real red-letter day - prolonged close views of an almost-mythical creature, a Jack Snipe newly arrived for the winter. It was roosting in a channel near Hogarth hide, and eventually started feeding along the stream edge, giving good views of its cryptic plumage and facial pattern, together with shorter size and smaller bill. Even when in the open, the bird became extremely difficult to see when it froze motionless, the beady eye giving it a Woodcock-like appearance. Probably my best ever view of a Jack Snipe, most being of birds flying away when flushed. 2 Common Snipe were nearby for comparison, even better....... The autumn wader bonanza continues, with 2 juv Curlew Sandpipers still on South Lake, and excellent views of the juv Spotted redshank on the Rushy, now moulting into smart pale winter plumage.