MD Osprey:

Just a general reminder ... with a large flock of snipe like this, be 
sure to scan for "anything different". If a Common (i.e., "Eurasian") 
Snipe (which is now a separate AOU species, again) is going to be 
found in eastern North America, it would likely first be detected in 
a mixed flock like this. The differences between the two species are 
subtle, especially on the ground, but the first indication might be 
noticing a bird that was lighter and warmer brown in color, compared 
to the darker and colder Wilson's Snipe. After that, the differences 
require much closer inspection of the supercilium (shape and color), 
extent of flank streaks, etc. Several of the newer field guides 
(Sibley, Alderfer, O'Brien, Paulson, etc.) do discuss these 
differences. In flight, separation is generally easier from wing and 
tail characteristics, especially on the Alaskan tundra in the spring 
when the birds are establishing territories, but in our region 
getting good looks at wintering snipe in flight is more problematic. 
Outside of Alaska, there is one record of Common Snipe from Labrador 
and there have been reports from Texas (see below).

Here are a couple of links that may be useful ...

         http://www.oceanwanderers.com/WISNP.html

         http://www.martinreid.com/Main%20website/snipe25.html 
(includes links to other related pages on the same web site)

This is the reverse problem ... identifying a Wilson's in Europe ...

         http://www.birdingworld.co.uk/images/WilsonsSnipeID.pdf


Hope this helps ...

Phil


At 11:39 02/11/2007, The Brodericks relayed that Larry/Jean Fry wrote:
>Subject: Worcester County Sightings South of Berlin-- Wilson's Snipe
(snip)
>Wilson's Snipe  --  Worcester  County     Delorme    page  35    Grid  C4
>
>Though described by  Sibley and others as a solitary  bird which may 
>gather in  loose groups of up to 10,  today we found  at 
>least  25  Wilson's  Snipes  feeding together in a  muddy field 
>near  Newark,  MD.   The birds were actively probing and feeding on 
>earth worms and other creatures  very close to our 
>vehicle.  By  very close I mean less than  10 
>feet.   Directions:  West  and south of the intersection 
>of  Bethards Road  and Patey Woods  Road there is a muddy field with 
>tractor tracks in front of a small yellow house.    The 
>Snipe    were in the field along with  Robins, Mourning Doves,  and 
>many Starlings.    Time of observation   4:15  to  5   PM.      Take 
>your camera!   Alas  I didn't have mine.

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Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
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