There seemed to be a weekend lull with todays grotty weather obviously preventing/deterring folk from getting out birding. The only news from daylight hours were of a Spotted Redshank at Lytchett Bay, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 8 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay and a Merlin off Shipstal.

However, some fascinating news last night from Stour Ringing Group who were out around the Sunnyside area where they caught several Jack Snipe, 1 Common Snipe and a Woodcock. Thats not unusual for anyone thats been on one of our Sunnyside ringing demos, in fact thats quite a typical catch. However, one the Jack Snipe and the Woodcock were in fact birds that had been caught and ringed at exactly the same spot in previous years by the group. Terry Elborn has kindly provided the details of each bird below.

• The Jack Snipe was first caught in March 2017, so was born at the earliest in 2016.
• The Woodcock was first caught in Nov 2016 and was aged as an adult then, so was born at least 2015 and so in its 8^th calendar year at least! How many miles has this bird done so far and how many gun shots avoided!!

We’re learning more and more about these nocturnal species and that winter site fidelity (reliance on the same site each winter) is key for birds like Woodcock and Jack Snipe, sometimes even being caught in the same 3m square patch of grass the following winter having (likely) flown to Russia and back in the mean time! Just incredible.

Woodcock (above) and Jack Snipe (below) – Terry Elborn