Friday, March 7, 2008

Woodcocks and Peepers

Adams County typically has the earliest reports of displaying American woodcocks in the state. This year I believe a few reports came out of counties farther north that Adams before Rich McCarty's report last week. But the warm temperatures last weekend (March 2nd) and last night (March 6 2008) brought A. woodcocks out this week in force. In Ohio Brush Creek valley I could hear at least 4 different "peents" going on and a couple flight sounds. Accompanying the woodcock sounds were dozens of spring peepers. Hopefully the woodcocks got the weekend forecast and have not mated yet. I would not want to sit on eggs on the ground while 10 inches of snow build up around me. Although they do have long beaks, maybe they can catch a few breaths out the top.