Jacks on the border

Out of the county by less than ten metres on occasions and showing as well as I have ever seen them, the Jacks at East Hyde were taking advantage of the flowing water of the side stream next to the River Lea this afternoon in superb sunlight. The birds were continuously active and feeding. Attached are a couple of my digiscoped efforts which can only hint at the images that could be obtained here by somebody with some decent camera gear.

Jack Snipe

Jack being watched over by his larger cousin

East Hyde water meadow; view SE from Thrales End Road. The road marks the Beds border as does the river beyond. The nearside bank and this side stream are Herts territory. On view this afternoon from this spot were three Jack Snipe, eight Common Snipe, Little Egret, two Green Sandpipers, two male Goosander, Kingfisher and a Water Rail as well as good numbers of Gadwall, Little Grebe and Teal. Can you see the Jack Snipe in the near foreground ?

Another typical view

Congregation of egrets

Looking at the preacher ? East Hyde, 20th April 2010

Little Egret

East Hyde Jack Snipe

As no-one else seems to have put an image on of the East Hyde Jack Snipe on the Blog I am doing so even though they are not terribly good. The position of the bird and light were less than ideal for photography. The only one I saw woke up briefly whilst I was there but did not show a lot of activity otherwise!