Bird ID
- Thread starter Quarryman
- Start date
No worries. I can't think of any other possibilities that come close to those two. If it was earlier in the year the juveniles of many snipes and sandpipers would be likely, but not this time of year. Painted snipes are also quite dark and drab around now too, adding even more credence to the possibility.
Hi Matt,
My first thought is a solitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria). These can look quite black & white from a distance, have light underwings and a white rump patch. Here in Holland they can be seen most of the year, usually associated with waterbanks. I have no idea how likely it is to encounter these birds in Britain though.
Cheers,
Tom
PS A painted snipe (it's nearest breeding grounds are in Egypt) would be a mega-rarity in Europe!
My first thought is a solitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria). These can look quite black & white from a distance, have light underwings and a white rump patch. Here in Holland they can be seen most of the year, usually associated with waterbanks. I have no idea how likely it is to encounter these birds in Britain though.
Cheers,
Tom
PS A painted snipe (it's nearest breeding grounds are in Egypt) would be a mega-rarity in Europe!
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What environment were you in when you saw this bird? Size can be difficult to judge too with a bird on it's own...
The Painted Snipe isn't on the British List and it's graded as unlikely to occur here in the wild
The Painted Snipe isn't on the British List and it's graded as unlikely to occur here in the wild
I immediately thought of an Avocet but then thought that they don't have as much black as described in the OP.
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