Down East Critter Pix
  • HOME
  • JOURNAL
  • NATIONAL REFUGES
  • EAGLES IN THE EAST
  • STATE &LOCAL PARKS
  • THE FIELD

LET'S GO ON A SNIPE HUNT!

2/28/2015

0 Comments

 
Most of us at one time or another have probably been invited on a mythical "Snipe Hunt" by some of our more "devious" friends. The "hunt" can involve several methods of "hunting'. One involves going into the woods at night with blankets, and you, the novice new hunter, will be shown how to sit quietly under the blanket and be prepared to throw the blanket over the snipe when you hear them scratching nearby.The others "spread out", but actually move away and hide with you in sight. They then throw pebbles near you and watch you foolishly throw your blanket to catch the birds--or they may retreat to the comfort of home, leaving you to the hunt--or they may ask you to hold a bag a certain way while they go about "driving the snipe" into the bag--of course leaving you alone holding the bag in the dark!


The Wilson's Snipe or Common Snipe is one of North America's most common shorebirds. Yet because of their highly patterned brown and buff coloration and highly secretive behavior, many of us have never seen one. They demonstrate the reality of camouflage as well as or better than most species. i have frequently been looking directly at one, glance away, and have them "disappear" when I look back even though they have not moved!


They live and forage in muddy field edges, creek edges, or other similar settings. They feed on earthworms and other invertebrates by probing the mud with their long beaks. They can eat without removing their beak from the soil because the tip can open independently from the base.


They nest in shallow scrapes in the soil which are lined with grasses, and frequently near or surrounded by water. Usually have 4 eggs which are tended only by the female until they fledge, at which time the male takes the oldest pair and the female the youngest until they are able to be independent.


These birds are all over our area with Eastern NC having much perfect habitat for them. The pictures below were taken at the Pungo Wildlife Refuge. I see them frequently there and at Lake Mattamuskeet. Now that you know what they look like, perhaps you will be more successful on your next Snipe Hunt!! Enjoy the pics below.

SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE ARROWS TO SCROLL THROUGH PICS.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013


    Categories

    All
    River Park North

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly