The American Woodcock takes center stage in spring – see the show!
On Friday, March 25, from 7 – 9 p.m., take a behind-the-bushes look at the courtship antics of the American Woodcock, a goofy, pop-eyed, Pinocchio-beaked bird the size and shape of a football at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve, 15681 Old Rider Road, in Burton Twp.
Here’s how Naturalist Dan Best describes what you will see at this program, suitable for children and adults who can stand still and keep quiet in the cool of a March evening:
“During woodcock wooing, males scamper and make the ‘peent,’ a buzzy call that sounds like blowing raspberries, before launching into the air to perform an amazing aerial ballet.
“Its spiraling ascent is accompanied by a twittering wing song, an aerodynamically produced sound of air rushing through its outer wing feathers. Reaching the apex of its skyward climb, it plummets back to Earth with a melodious song. The song finally stops as the bird makes a careening swoop over the meadow for a silent return to its ‘stage,’ an opening among the shrub thickets.”
We expect you’ll also hear frog calls and witness Red-winged Blackbird maneuvers as an added bonus as we await this twilight performance.
Woodcock courtship is a true rite of spring – once experienced, never forgotten!
Registration is not required. School age and up, please. The parking lot and a portion of the trail are wheelchair accessible, but the field is not. Please call 440-286-9516 with questions.
