A bright, sunny day but with an icy cold N>4.
After AC found a Snipe in Tracys Wheatear field, Shelf Moor yesterday NK investigated today and found 7 in the same area.
After that report DS went to look and counted 14 in the area so after I received Nigels call in Sainsburys it was a dash home to get the last hour down there and see what was cooking.
I arrived at 1500hrs but motorbikes were in the next field down and no sign of Snipe.
After a lot of eye straining searching I started to pick them out mainly at the far side of the field away from the disturbance. Nine were counted flying into the Lapwing field nearer the junction and some moved to the top corner out of sight.
I walked up to the next field finding Snipe in there but again distant views but the numbers were increasing.
By the time Id done a count in the top field I was up to 23 and probably more if Id have taken the scope as when the sun went down the birds became nearly invisible.
Meadow Pipits were continuously coming in from the East and after quickly feeding in the field moving on >NW.
Several Lapwings were present and 3 large groups of Starlings but strangely no Golden Plover.
On the way back the Little Owl was out on the wall.
Thanks for the call Nigel
23 Snipe
108 Meadow Pipits
72 Lapwing
8 Redwing
c 300 Starling
Also present, AC. TC. DS.
BS.