[texbirds] Woodcocks again...

From: Brush Freeman <brushfreeman@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <Texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 19:23:42 -0600
I dipped on hearing one last night but heard a local one again
tonight...Still was too dark to see it however.  Lots of replies on my
first post so,just my two-bits here for folks in Cen-Tex after many years
of experiencing them.   As the hormones surge, it seems they will begin to
display earlier and earlier in the twilight until say mid-Febuary to the
point they may actually be seen. If close to the day roost area, which I
seem to not be, you'll hear a odd sound, usually from the ground that
sounds a bit like a nighthawk call repeated numerous times...Then they in
flight are off to wet or more riparian areas to feed.  Some think that
riparian areas are the sole places to look for them,.  Heavens no.  They
love to day roost up on dry ridges here and it seems to me in underbrush
below mature hackberries/elm where there is usually lots of of earthworm
chow under the leaf litter.
I don't know how to really describe the calls but one can go to Xeno Canto
etc.for those...When they skylark up there is one sound but not sure it is
vocal or feather related, but when the males come down there is this almost
bat-like twitter. It is interesting because you know what they are doing by
sound.  This is not a loud call by any means and can be easily over-looked
much as crickets etc.

The window for these displays at this date here are short, maybe only a few
minutes but they increase in time in early Feb. and by end of Feb. here in
Utley, they are done for the year if not before.  A bit like E.
Whip-poor-will when the males come thru.  brief windows,  Traffic noise
easily drowns out Woodcock display music.

Since so many are visiting the Granger area, I thought I would mention a
tried and true place for them in the past, tho I do not know how it is now
some 12-13 years on.  It was the creek area upstream from the Willis Ck
Bridge especially on the south side of the road in Alder thickets.  It has
been a long time for me though since I have been there. ..Not sure about
now, but the creek is good for Winter Wren regardless.
Tonight I heard my local bird beginning at 6:58 continuing display until
7:07P....The males display from a small clearing or low-traffic gravel road
etc.  Right now if you drive Park Road 1C REAL SLOW in Bastrop SP before
dawn, your chances of seeing one on the road are at least 30/70 especially
down toward Busecher SP....I've seen them pre-dawn on this road numerous
times.

Just my bent nickel
**********************************************************************
Brush Freeman
503-551-5150 Cell
120 N. Red Bud Trail. Elgin, Tx. 78621
http://texasnaturenotes.blogspot.com/
Finca Alacranes., Utley,Texas


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[texbirds] Woodcocks again...

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