2 Jacks and a new record

As Geoff suspected, Monday produced 2 Jack Snipe which showed til about 15:00 then did their usual disappearing act. Looking back at the archives, that makes 3 years on the trot with 2 Jack Snipe here, which has never happened before, or at least not on record. The highest count is 3 on March 10th & 11th 1983, but there is an unconfirmed and in my opinion a totally doubtful record of 6 on Feb 27th 1992 (OU) 'OU' meaning Observer Unknown, or not recorded.

Meanwhile Richard came across a female Blackcap near the DP centre cafe and then shortly after I left Lavell's at 17:30 a Peregrine was seen doing a very fast fly by, bringing the park to 89 for the year, 85 for the month, equal to 2003, but with 10 days of month left and various species still expected including 2 overdue year ticks in the form of Redshank and Shelduck. Still likely this month are Ring-necked Parakeet, Coal Tit, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail and other good possibles could include Pintail, Curlew, Red Crested Pochard, Smew and Goosander.

With Jack Snipe not showing I took this shot of an immature Grey Heron.

This morning the scrape was frozen so I suspect the Jack Snipe were hiding, unlike 1 Common Snipe I got a shot of, the Teal are looking their best too.

At the other end the Nuthatch was singing his head off in full view, as were at least 3 Great Spots.