went out this evening, and instead of the meadow at the end of the trail
(as below) went to the traditional "woodcock meadow" -- much of it has
been burned (lightly, vines still look robust) & there is some sort of
enclosure being built back to the left. this evening while standing in
where the main path opens into the back meadow, had woodcock start to
fly in from the direction of the path -- low and without any peenting
first that I could hear. they seemed to be repositioning rather than
displaying. this started at 1930 hours. a few minutes later the
displays started, tho only seemed to have 4 birds each display once,
then a long lull. at which point I left, having gotten some very good
close looks at one bird and good clear sky views of others. no one else
was there.
chris kessler
falls church
John Messina wrote:
Saturday night we enjoyed courtship displays in delightful weather by six to
eight woodcocks at Huntley Meadows. At dusk we entered the meadow near the
end of the "back-entrance" trail, and as we did several woodcocks flew into
the meadow right over our heads, began "peenting," and had their peents
answered by other woodcocks in the surrounding woods, who then flew into the
meadow as well. The woodcocks took turns peenting and soaring until about 7
pm.
We also enjoyed seeing a flock of Tundra swans fly overhead before the
woodcocks displayed, then hearing both barred and great horned owls hoot
loudly as we walked away from the meadow to head back home.
Cathy and John Messina
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