Usually when I want to see a
Woodcock and add this species of bird to my year list, I just head to a local marsh known to attract this bird during migration and scan with my
binocular at twilight, though I seldom need the
binocular - the flight of the Woodcock is unmistakable both in its display and the sound it makes. This is the classic way of seeing this secretive species for a
birder and the ambience of the location is a big part of the thrill. What is not a classic way of seeing a Woodcock happened to me the other night on the bike trail.
As usual, I was riding my bike a bit later than expected and had to turn on the lights as I pedaled though a remote, marshy section of the trail. Suddenly, a small shape sitting in the middle of the paved bike trail materialized - kind of a doe in the headlights thing, except this was a small bird. To my surprise and delight, a Woodcock exploded with its distinctive "whhrrrr" and flew off into the darkness. Okay, not a classic sighting, but for a birder, birds are where and when you find them.