Snipe Abound at Medmerry

In what had been an already excellent winter for snipe on the farmland within RSPB Medmerry, it was amazing to see yet another increase in their totals on the last survey. Jack snipe tied their previous high with 6 individuals recorded, but common snipe were up to an impressive 167. 

It’s difficult to say exactly why we have seen such an increase but there is little doubt that the level of water saturation in the ground is playing a role. The best spot in previous winters has gone from 30 odd individuals to in excess of 90 this winter. This area has undergone some slight changes in management that could be resulting in an increase. Another site that would previously get into double figures produced over 50. This area hasn’t changed noticeably aside from how wet it is.

Come the end of the survey a barn owl came out from its daytime roost and hunted over the rough grassland. Always a memorable occasion seeing an owl, it caught a mammal on the ground, flew with it to a tree, and proceeded to eat in plain sight. In one of the gorse bushes a Dartford warbler called but remained steadfastly in its prickly lair.

- Hugh Baggaley