Bird watchers have been flocking to Lemsford Springs Nature Reserve to catch a glimpse of a rare species, following a number of sightings.

Over the past few weeks, and on and off since October, three Jack Snipe have regularly been seen at the site near Welwyn Garden City - the first record of the species at the nature reserve for more than six years.

Due to their preferred habitat of dense wetland vegetation and camouflaged plumage, it is difficult to spot Jack Snipe - and the opportunity of seeing three out in the open is proving difficult for bird watchers to refuse.

Barry Trevis, warden at Lemsford Springs Nature Reserves, believes the weather and abundance of food is drawing the birds to the site.

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"We have been very lucky this winter, with the Jack Snipe arriving at the reserve on four different occasions," he said.

"The cold weather drives them here as the water never freezes in the spring-fed chalk stream environment of the watercress beds.

"There’s always a plentiful food supply too, with an abundance of shrimp in the freshwater lagoon."

The Jack Snipe is a winter visitor to the UK, spending its summers breeding on waterlogged bogs in northern Europe. While it could be confused with a Common Snipe, that bird has a longer bill and is twice the size.

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