Painted Snipe at Kelly's Swamp

On the afternoon of 24 September the twitch system of Canberra Birds fired up with a report of there being a pair of Painted Snipe at Kelly's Swamp.  I have only seen this species once - and it was in difficult circumstances - before, so headed off for a look.

On arrival there were a number of cars parked at the Southern end of the swamp and on getting in to the area a number of birders were immediately evident.  As with the previous event getting the 'tickable' view was easy since I was immediately offered a look through an established spotting scope. 

Having got that insurance for my year list I then picked the bird up in my binoculars and then used a convenient fence post as camera support to get a photo.

The second bird was in fact still there lurking behind the tussock abaft of the obvious bird.  There was much discussion about the sex of the birds (referring to i-phone Field Guide apes(sic)) and it was concluded that both were female with 1 adult and the other immature.  So unless one also debates gender they were two, but not a pair.

A pair of Masked Lapwings who obviously regarded the area as their territory protested noisily but were ignored by the Painted Snipe.

Here is the mob of birders (at this stage also unisex) with some anonymity added.

 The gender balance was improved and age distribution broadened shortly thereafter but I didn't feel like another snap.

In addition to the human and avian participation, the bovines appointed to control the fire hazard (in a swamp!) also turned up.  In the following image one Snipe is shown - marked by the arrow - together with a Masked Lapwing and parts of several cattle.

When the cattle got so that they were about to step on the log both Snipe walked away giving the assembled mob most excellent views.  A great sight!