Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Overview
Snipes drum. That weird vibrating sound in spring. Foulshaw Moss. Wet ground. The outer tail feathers do it. They zigzag when flushed. Long bill. Striped head. Wet flushes on the fells.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Habitat | Wet grassland · Bog · Flush |
| Diet | Worms, insects. Long bill for probing. |
| UK population | Around 80,000 breeding pairs. Declining. |
| Lake District | Foulshaw Moss. Wet ground. That drumming in spring. The outer tail feathers vibrate. They zigzag when flushed. Wet flushes on the fells. |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Wet grassland and bog. Foulshaw Moss, wet flushes, the fells. That drumming. Zigzag flight when flushed.
Identification
Long bill. Striped head. Brown. Zigzag flight. Drumming in spring. Unmistakeable.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Wet ground. Spring for the drumming. Dusk. Foulshaw Moss. They're cryptic. You'll hear them before you see them.
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.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.