Wilson's Snipe

We saw this handsome Wilson's Snipe south of Calgary yesterday (was it really only yesterday?!) Six of us went to the area south of 22X to do our annual May Species Count. A long day, from 7:30 a.m. till around 4:00 p.m., but most enjoyable. I would say the highlight was the unexpected sighting of the Great Gray Owl that I posted yesterday!

"For a short while this species was lumped with other similar birds, collectively called Common Snipe. DNA evidence showed that the populations did not interbreed, so its original name was restored. The breeding range of the Wilson's Snipe includes most of mainland Canada and the adjoining USA." From talkaboutwildlife website.

talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=129