American Woodcock Nest

A Woodcock startled me yesterday as I walked across the dried grasses on the prairie. It had flown out right under my step so I pulled back and looked carefully. Using my iPhone I took the snapshot above showing four eggs.

Woodcocks have spectacular courtship display that can easily be seen at the PGT on moonlit nights in February and March. The males make loud “peent” calls as they stand on their singing ground. After several minutes they take flight and spiral upwards making a twittering sound. It is not uncommon to hear several birds calling from one field.