How to Observe Woodcock in the Wild

For many wildlife enthusiasts, observing animals in their natural environment is a huge thrill. Woodcock are one of those animals that offer the viewer a show both impressive and entertaining. This once threatened bird is now a common sight along the east coast, which means that even the amateur wildlife watcher is likely to come across one from time to time. If you’d like to add the woodcock to your birding life list, or simply want a different form of entertainment, try the following.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find a large open space, such as a field or gravel pit, with lots of brush and trees around the edge. Woodcock are woodland birds, but do most of their mating rituals in grassland areas.

2. Go to this area half an hour before dusk or dawn. Woodcock are most active when the sun is just rising or setting.

3. Stand very still and listen for a beenting noise. If you pinch your nose with your fingers and say “beent” in a high tone, you’ll get an idea of what the male bird sounds like.

4. Figure out where the sound is coming from and move very slowly toward it. Woodcock have very poor eyesight, which means you can get quite close to the birds if you move slowly and carefully.

5. Listen for a whistling noise. When male woodcocks think a female is watching, they begin their “sky dance.” The bird takes off from the tussock of grass it “beents” on and begins a large spiral up into the air. Because the outermost (primary) wing feathers are incredibly stiff, the air moving over the wings during flight creases a whistling sound. The bird always returns to the same tussock from which it flew off, so this is a great time to get closer.

6. Sit and watch. Once you know where the bird is performing and are close enough to see it, simply enjoy. Woodcock will fly up to 350 feet into the air, at which point they stop, sing a little chirpy song, and glide in a falling-leaf pattern all the way back to their original mound or tussock.

Tips & Warnings

• Early spring through summer are the most active times for this little bird, so keep a keen eye from March onwards.
• If you can hear beenting in the distance but are not sure where it is coming from, try making the sound yourself. Male woodcock have a strong competition instinct and will come closer if they think a rival is nearby.
• Using binoculars or night-vision goggles is a helpful way of seeing the bird without getting too close.
• Woodcock are an eastern bird, which means that you’ll find them only in the space between the Atlantic coast and Appalachian Mountain range.