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I believe I have a Jack Snipe at my pond.  I determine this by it's bobbing body while it is eating, some thing the Common Snipe is not listed as doing.  I saw a video on you tube (web address) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krpuUWPXXrA of a Jack Snipe and it looks like the same bird I have had at my pond shore for 2 days now.  I have been trying to get a closer look, or picture of him and he will fly a short distance a way and land again.  I attached the best picture I could get.  Can anyone id this bird and tell me how in the world it got so off track and in my back yard?  And what I should do about it, if any thing?  He is welcomed here as we love our birds, but I do not want him in danger.  Any help would be appreciated.

 

Pretty tough to tell from the size of that pic. I zoomed in a little and I think I see some black on the cap which might make it a woodcock.

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Don't cry because it's over, smile because you were there.

I know, my camera isn't the best.  I looked at him through the binoculars and he is white underneath and he has stripes on his head that run front to back, not side to side.  He also bobs when he is eating, not rocking.  He sticks his beak in the water at the shores edge over and over, for hours.  He's great to watch.  Also, his wings are shaped like a shore bird, more angled.  When he flies it reminds me of a seagull.  I will just let him be and hope he stays a while.  Thank you for your help.

That sure is a Snipe! Wilson's Snipe, though, as the species has been renamed. The plumage fits well (from what I can see), and also the habitat. Snipes are often seen foraging in and near water, while Woodcocks, as their names suggests, are found within woods. Great find!

Snipes are like Empidomax flycatchers, they are really hard to tell apart.  A Jack Snipe would have a much more defined facial pattern, and the sides would be streaked and splotched, rather then barred. 

It is impossible to tell from this picture what snipe species it is.  If you are quite certain it is a Jack Snipe, I recommend trying as hard as you can to reach a local expert, and have him/her check it out.  Look in the phone book, call information, check online, I don't know.  just try to reach an expert.

I hope it is a Jack Snipe!!  Even though it is probably a Wilson's.....
 

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Good Luck Birding
Josh

Thank you so much for your knowledgable help.  He/she was not at the pond yesterday and I will be at work all day today...I'm trying to get a better look at him/her or a better picture to post.  Thank you to all again!!! 

Sorry, the Wilson's Snipe was given full species status from the Common Snipe, not Jack Snipe. Either way, your bird is a Wilson's Snipe. Jack Snipe have very rarely been seen in the USA, and seeing one inland in PA is probably impossible.