Jack Snipe are a rarity in the Algarve and on my third visit to this site, not only did one of these little wonders make an appearance, but two. A small version of the Common Snipe, they were difficult to see at times, easily getting lost behind a Ruff or Godwit.
Shorter billed than the Common Snipe, the head is heavily streaked and with a strong supercilium. Two broad streaks down the back look anything from gold to an olive green, depending on the light which was proving tricky this afternoon. One feature I didn't see on these birds was the typical 'bouncing' action when feeding. I've always seen Jack Snipe do this but these birds didn't do it at all. I was delighted to add these rarities to my Portugal list, I'm sure they occur at other locations but can prove very difficult to find, unless they venture into the open.
Lars Gonçalves
26/2/2018 04:50:05 pm
Hi Nigel, nice photos of those liltle beauties.
Lucy Woodward
16/3/2018 10:53:06 am
Great photos Nigel of the March sightings. I was lucky to see some jack snipe at Salgados when it was first drained. Quite a few and also no bobbing action. Didn't see them again in all my visits. Comments are closed.
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