Ornithology Field Journal 6

time - 7:30pm - 9:30pm
location- Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
weather - Partially cloudy before sunset, clear skies after. 40-50 degrees.
habitat - Open meadow with scattered shrubs, forested trail.

I was able to observe a male American Woodcock engage in it's evening courtship displays during this birding trip, and therefore witnessed the iconic mate/territory selection behaviors of this species. In a large meadow, the Woodcock I observed had selected a small patch of shrubs to nest, likely to provide some protection from the elements as well as predation. During the mating display, the Woodcock followed a series of vocalizations with a flight high into the air in hopes of attracting a nearby female around the forest edge. In terms of territory, this Woodcock found a good location. The shrubs provided important cover, and the openness of the meadow provided a large stage for the Woodcock to perform on. Since the bird had acquired such a nice territory, and the mating displays were strong, I would assume that this particular male was in good health. Another bird I witnessed in this meadow habitat was the Wilson's Snipe. This bird nests on the ground in the meadow, where they can easily blend in among the grass. They construct their nests, by organizing grasses into a bowl shape, so most if not all of the nest making materials are found around the nest site in the field.

Posted on April 22, 2024 05:11 PM by cobyw