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Snipe or Woodcock

  • 27-11-2012 11:34pm
    #1
    whyulittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭


    Do Snipe fly after dark? Any time I've been over at Boora after dark (including today) I've seen what I presumed were Snipe flying. But I was wondering today could they have been Woodcock?

    Taking today's sighting as an example, there was no noise from it, and it was flying before I got to it (not flushed out), rapid wing beat and flying all over the place.


Comments

  • #2
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    There's a full moon at the moment so quite a few waders and waterfowl will fly at night. I often hear Brent Geese, Redshanks and Curlews flying over my house in the middle of the night. I wouldn't be at all surprized if you did see a Snipe. I remember reading that in hunted areas, many waders and waterfowl will become semi-nocturnal to avoid being shot at.


  • #3
    trebor28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭trebor28


    I only heard a snipe flying overhead last week at about 10pm. Dont ask me what he was doing or whether or not he was disturbed but it was definitely snipe


  • #4
    Birdnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,807 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    The fact that it was not calling suggests Woodcock rather than snipe - outside chance it was a Jacksnipe though!!


  • #5
    whyulittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    Thanks for the replies.

    Definitely wasn't calling. If I remember correctly the Carlow BWI branch saw a Jacksnipe there earlier in the year.

    Any way of telling them all apart, bearing in mind I'll be working with fast moving sillhouettes. :)


  • #6
    dodderangler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,204 ✭✭✭dodderangler


    whyulittle wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies.

    Definitely wasn't calling. If I remember correctly the Carlow BWI branch saw a Jacksnipe there earlier in the year.

    Any way of telling them all apart, bearing in mind I'll be working with fast moving sillhouettes. :)
    The size is a dead give away in jack snipe
    Flyin all over the place id say it was a snipe and was spooked so up it went
    Snipe fly all over the place to avoid being caught as the would of a peregrine came over head they would all get up and fly all over the place to confuse attacker ( also makes it harder to shoot them )


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  • #7
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    Snipe are about the size of a small blackbird.
    Woodcock are about the size of a woodpigeon.
    Both fly erratically, and neither like to call after dark. Woodcock fly fairly straight - if not avoiding something, or disturbed.
    Both birds will move to feeding grounds quite a long time after dusk, and before dawn.
    Size is the most certain clue.


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