Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Jack Snipe is the ultimate 'sit tight' bird — it crouches motionless and will not flush until almost stepped on. Smaller than Snipe, it lacks the pale central crown stripe and has a shorter bill. When it finally flushes it rises silently without calling, dropping back into cover almost immediately. Without the zig-zag flight and 'scaap' call of Snipe, it's far more difficult to find. The damp dune slacks at Ainsdale and wet margins at Marshside are the places to look.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Habitat | Wet dune slack · Bog edge · Marsh |
| Diet | Worms, invertebrates — probes into soft mud |
| UK population | Winter only; around 100,000 wintering birds in the UK |
| Sefton Coast | Regular but secretive winter visitor to wet habitats; easily missed |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Wet dune slacks at Ainsdale NNR. Marsh edges at Marshside RSPB. Very secretive.
Identification
Smaller than Snipe. No pale central crown stripe — two golden stripes on back instead. Shorter bill. Silent when flushed, drops back to cover quickly. A 'bouncing' gait when walking (the body bobs rhythmically).
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk very slowly through wet vegetation at Ainsdale slacks in November–January. Jack Snipe sit extraordinarily tight — you need to almost stand on them. A deliberate, slow 'sweep' of suitable habitat is the best approach.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Jack Snipe sit so still?
Jack Snipe relies on cryptic camouflage as its primary defence — its striped brown plumage breaks up its outline against vegetation so effectively that it is nearly invisible when still. It will only flush as a last resort. This extreme reliance on camouflage means that deliberate slow walking is more likely to find them than quick scans.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.