I saw my only Jack snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) of the year on 18 February, and six days later, on 24 February, my only Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago), which I blogged about the following day (First Jack, now Common, 25 February).

As you can see from the images above, Jack snipes can be extremely difficult to see – they are masters at keeping perfectly still, and they frequent reed beds and swards of short grass and scrub, where their plumage ensures almost perfect camouflage. Even though I know where the bird is in the full-size left-hand photo, I still find it hard to find – I’ve zoomed in for the right-side image.

Common snipe can also be tricky to spot but, fortunately, they do sometimes sit out and feed in the open. I had hoped for more snipe sightings but, due to the very wet weather this year, the rides in the Snipe enclosure at Cosmeston have not been cut and I’ve also not seen my trusty birding friend with the thermal imaging equipment.