Soil Hill with DJB

Another morning with really poor visibility but DJB was kind enough to accompany me up to Soil Hill to try and find Jack Snipe.

We did manage to see a few of the usual bird species on the way up but the mist/fog soon rolled in making thinks awkward.

DJB had brough his iPhone heat seeking gizmo to help.

I was more a cameraman than a birder today as we 'wallowed in the mud', clay and large slippy brown puddles.

 

2 Jack Snipe did flush - away in a breath but after we lumbered through some slippy mud, clay and reeds perseverance brought a eureka moment with DJB coming up trumps finding a bird in the reeds.

The bird was quite content to sit still, knowing that its fantastic camouflage plumage  will keep it safe.

Even knowing where the bird was I still had difficulty seeing it with my ancient eyes and then getting it in the camera viewfinder and then  in focus.

Anyway I got a few photos which I think are not bad.

What a fantastic bird - I don't know how it manages to survive in all that gunge up there.

A really memorable day for me today.

Birds:-

3 Jack Snipe.

Fieldfare.

Song Thrush.

Starling.

Rook.

and a few others.

Jack Snipe up in the air in the fog.

One on the deck.

I did not realise how long the bill is.