Date: 03/25/2004

Number: 1

My favorite sign of spring is when the woodcocks return and begin their courtship performance in fields near moist woods. I don't call it a courtship display since their aerial acrobatics are done toward the end of dusk each evening, and it is hard to see them. But, if you know what to listen for you can hear their performance. First the male emits a series of nasal "peents!" repeated from the ground about every two seconds. Then, as the male spirals up to a considerable height you can hear the whistling of his wings. Finally, he plummets to earth, twittering as he descends, lands in the same spot he started from, and begins to "peent" again. For more details google for "woodcock courtship" (without quotes).

South Berwick, ME

Latitude: 43.2 Longitude: -70.7

Observed by: Matthew
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