Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Common Snipe can be found most winters at Hartlebury Common in small numberss.  These well camouflaged wading birds feed within the tussocks and furrows of The Bog where they use their incredibly long bills to feed on invertebrates within the mud and sediment.   Common Snipe are can be very difficult to spot amongst the vegetation due to their cryptic plumage which helps them stay hidden from would be predators.  When disturbed (or flushed as it is known) they make a loud call and fly off in a zig-  zagging fashion.   A Common Snipe’s call can be heard at the following link:

Common Snipe