Nov 062017
“Red-breasted Snipe” is an old name for the North American Dowitcher, split into two species, the Long-billed Dowitcher and the Short-billed Dowitcher. The Long-billed Dowitcher is a more regular visitor to Britain and one of these smart waders has been frequenting the tidal creek and small coastal pool at Saltfleet Haven in Lincolnshire. I managed to see these birds, in full summer plumage, on their breeding grounds in Alaska last year. I can well understand why victorian ornithologists called them the Red-breasted Snipe. However, as you will see, in their winter plumage, they certainly look a lot different. My year list has moved on to 237
Long-billed Dowitcher – Juvenile – Saltfleet Haven, Lincolnshire – November 2017 – Tony Davison©
