A charity reported that three "rarely seen" northern European wading birds have been drawing large crowds of tourists.
In Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire's Lemsford Springs Nature Reserve, jack snipe have been spotted for the first time in the past six years.
However, these birds have been spotted in the open for extended periods on four occasions since October, according to Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The species typically prefers to remain camouflaged in dense wetland vegetation.
The birds were lured into the open by "an abundance of shrimp" and a chalk stream that "never freezes," according to reserve warden Barry Trevis.
At Lemsford Springs, the birds had not been seen for six years.
Winter visitors to the UK are jack snipe, which spend their summers on flooded bogs in northern Europe.
They are tiny waders, measuring 19 cm (7 14 in) long externally, and their long bills are used to probe for food.
The wildlife trust, which is the property owner of the nature reserve, claimed that the bird could be identified by its "constant bouncing action. giving the impression that its legs are on springs
