Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Snipe is one of those birds you hear before you see — or more often, flush unexpectedly from wet grass with its characteristic 'scaap' call. A beautifully camouflaged bird of wet grassland and dune slacks, it probes deep into soft mud with its long bill, the tip of which has sensory receptors for detecting prey. In spring, displaying males dive from height, the outer tail feathers vibrating to produce the 'drumming' sound. The dune slacks at Ainsdale and wet areas at Marshside are reliable in winter.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Habitat | Wet dune slack · Marsh edge · Boggy grassland · Ditch edge |
| Diet | Earthworms, invertebrates — probes deep into mud with long bill |
| UK population | Around 76,000 breeding pairs; winter population much larger with continental birds |
| Sefton Coast | Regular winter visitor to dune slacks and Marshside; occasional breeder |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Wet dune slacks at Ainsdale NNR. Marshside RSPB marsh edges and ditches. Hesketh Out Marsh.
Identification
Medium wader. Very long straight bill. Cryptic striped brown plumage. Pale stripes on head — two supercilia and central crown stripe. Explosive zig-zag flight when flushed, calling 'scaap'.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk slowly along ditch edges at Marshside in winter. Snipe sit tight and are easy to walk past. Look for them probing in shallow mud at ditch margins. The zig-zag flight when flushed is unmistakeable.
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
What is 'drumming' in Snipe?
Snipe drumming is a display behaviour performed by males in spring. The male climbs high and then dives steeply, causing the stiff outer tail feathers to spread and vibrate in the airstream, producing a pulsating 'drumming' sound. It's a mechanical sound — not a vocal call. Best heard at dawn and dusk over suitable wet habitat from April to July.
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.