After the past couple of days, it seemed like a near sure thing for woodcock at our local spot.
Bob <Spahnrspahn...>
Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve, Monroe, New York, US
Mar 19, 2025 8:48 PM - 9:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: Sue and I made a run to our usual Webster site for our first American Woodcocks. We listen from the side of Whiting Rd. next to the big field just north of the Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve. Riding up nearby with windows open we were treated to loud choruses of spring peepers. AMWO typically start displaying 1/2 hour after sunset and continue for about 45 min. With sunset at 7:22, we were on time, and the first woodcocks were heard rising, then "smacking" at the apex of their flights within a minute of that time - probably 5 total different individuals over the next 7 minutes. They were far enough that we never could detect any of the peenting prior to their rising in flight. Changes in the land upkeep and access have driven the birds to the far edges of the field now. During the whole time there we heard NO other birds except for a few distant Canada Geese moving about. Usually the area is alive with song up through the first displays.
2 species
