Woodcock displays at Cutter Fields

Meeting at Headquarters parking lot. We will go to Cutter Field Road near sundown (6:48pm) to observe the annual dusk display of American Woodcocks on and over the fields.

The complex display includes strutting on the ground with while giving a nasal-like call -- "peeent". The bird then flutters off the ground with an exaggerated flight with air flowing over a flight feather producing a whistle. It flies in circles higher and higher and when reaching its apex descends to the ground in a zig-zag flight, whistling all the way--- landing almost on the spot it left. All this to impress a female.

Bring binoculars if you have them. We will try to get close enough to see the entire flight before it gets too dark.