Lye Valley, Oxford: 14th December

 

Yesterday a photograph from a member of the public emerged of a Jack Snipe in the ponds at the top of the Lye Valley, which was taken on Sunday. Isaac and I went out first thing this morning, there were at least 4 Common Snipe around the ponds (a rare bird here in itself) and the Jack Snipe was still present, stationary on the far bank, a remarkable city record!

Above, with Wren

At dawn there was frost on the tertials and tail of this bird. 

Tom Bedford & Isaac West