Birders hope to see unusual woodcock species on outing

Have you ever seen a timberdoodle in flight, heard the call of a fairydiddle, or observed the courtship of a hookum-pake?

All of these whimsical names are synonyms for the American woodcock, and on Saturday the Lynchburg Bird Club will sponsor a fieldtrip to observe this unusual species. Difficult to locate at most times of the year, the woodcock steps on to center stage in March when the males gather in suitable grassy areas for their bizarre courtship flights.

It begins at dusk with a bird calling from the ground. The harsh, buzzy notes sound almost like some sort of mechanical sound. Suddenly, a bird will rise high in the air, spiraling straight up, sometimes as high as 300 feet. After hovering for a few seconds, the descent begins, accompanied by a soft “twittering” sound produced by the wings.

If all goes according to plan, we will train our flashlights on the bird as it lands. Often the “spot-lighted” subject will simply stand there for a few moments, giving everyone an opportunity for a good view. If you have never seen a woodcock before, then you will be in for a surprise. This bird looks like it was designed by a committee that never had the opportunity to get together for a
discussion.

The short, plump body is about 10 inches long, with a bill about one-third of that length. The wings are stubby, and the tail is virtually non-existent. The drab brown coloration blends in perfectly with the fallen leaves of the woodland where the bird spends most of its time. Probably the most noticeable features are the large, dark eyes. Each eye is set so far back on the side of the head that the woodcock is literally able to “see behind itself” as it probes for food along the forest floor.

We will meet this Saturday at 6:20 p.m. at the Buffalo Creek Nature Area on Virginia 24 in Campbell County. Dress for cold weather, wear dark clothing and bring a flashlight. You will also need binoculars to spot the birds as they spiral skyward. If the temperature is below 40 degrees or if it is raining, we will postpone the fieldtrip to March 16. Call (434) 298-7773 for more information.

News and notes
The Blue Ridge Wildflower Society will sponsor its spring garden workday at the botanic garden on the campus of Randolph College on Saturday from 9 to 11:00 a.m. Please come and help make the garden beautiful for spring.

Jo Marracini reported a purple martin in his yard in Bedford County on March 1. On March 9, Rexanne Bruno observed a flock of about 50 tree swallows near Big Island. Our early date for this species is a bird seen on Feb. 28, 2006, in Bedford County.

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Readers may email Ms. Dalmas at jtdalmas@juno.com.