Curlew ?

_Brian

Hi.
We’re in east Cavan, when I was young my dad would often point out Curlew and the sounds of them.
However we haven’t seen any is a long time.

Today I saw this guy in my front garden and I presume he’s a Curlew.

https://ibb.co/nhpc57

thelawman

Don’t think that’s a Curlew, might be a Snipe?

_Brian

yes..
Checked online and I'd say its a snipe ok.. the pattern on his back seems like brown lines running down the back.. beak is thicker and straighter too

Thanks..

Keplar240B

i had a snipe in my city garden , first time ever

Keplar240B

I looked out the front just there 21:30 and there is two birds feeding on the grassy patch (in the field) the kids made when they where making snowmen. They look like snipe, cannot be sure, good bit away , I thought they rats at first glance cause its night

Purple Mountain

I had my first snipe in our country garden in Munster today too.
I was perplexed by his beak, he was picking in the snow very precisely.

_Brian

Any reasoning on why they would leave their usual marshland and start deeding close to the house.
We’re here 10years and this is the first time.

Honestly when walking though some of our low fields they would rise out of the cover and fly off, but this is the first time I’ve seen one in the open feeding and very relaxed close to the house.

CJmasgrande

The cold spell of weather with frozen ground made it very difficult for Snipe to find food. This gave rise to Snipe turning up in more urban settings where patches of snow were cleared attracting them to try find food.