by NIAS | Jan 27, 2025
Event: Woodcock Watches
Wednesday, March 26, 7:00 pm
Happy Equinox!
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore
815-938-3204
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing their amazing courtship display.
The woodcock’s “Sky Dance” itself is part ground-strutting and part zig-zagging flight, barely visible in the early evening sky. More fascinating perhaps are the sounds that go with it, the repetitious vocal “peent!” followed by the twittering and chirping sounds made when air rushes through primary flight feathers during the bird’s flight. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic.
In the past we have had 3-6 woodcocks performing their twilight display for about 3-4 weeks. When and if this begins is an educated guess, so be sure to call the listed leader to register in advance and to receive confirmation that the birds have returned and the weather is suitable.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.
Make time to experience this unique avian harbinger of spring. The joy will be all yours.
– Mary Blackmore
by NIAS | Jan 27, 2025
Event: Woodcock Watches
Saturday, March 15, 7:00 pm
Happy Equinox!
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore
815-938-3204
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing their amazing courtship display.
The woodcock’s “Sky Dance” itself is part ground-strutting and part zig-zagging flight, barely visible in the early evening sky. More fascinating perhaps are the sounds that go with it, the repetitious vocal “peent!” followed by the twittering and chirping sounds made when air rushes through primary flight feathers during the bird’s flight. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic.
In the past we have had 3-6 woodcocks performing their twilight display for about 3-4 weeks. When and if this begins is an educated guess, so be sure to call the listed leader to register in advance and to receive confirmation that the birds have returned and the weather is suitable.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.
Make time to experience this unique avian harbinger of spring. The joy will be all yours.
– Mary Blackmore
by NIAS | Jan 27, 2025
Event: Woodcock Watches
Thursday, March 20, 7:00 pm
Happy Equinox!
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore
815-938-3204
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing their amazing courtship display.
The woodcock’s “Sky Dance” itself is part ground-strutting and part zig-zagging flight, barely visible in the early evening sky. More fascinating perhaps are the sounds that go with it, the repetitious vocal “peent!” followed by the twittering and chirping sounds made when air rushes through primary flight feathers during the bird’s flight. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic.
In the past we have had 3-6 woodcocks performing their twilight display for about 3-4 weeks. When and if this begins is an educated guess, so be sure to call the listed leader to register in advance and to receive confirmation that the birds have returned and the weather is suitable.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.
Make time to experience this unique avian harbinger of spring. The joy will be all yours.
– Mary Blackmore
by NIAS | Nov 26, 2024
Open Land Birding
Saturday, January 11, 9:00 am to noon
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204
Carpool from the Harbor-Freight lot in Freeport at 9:00 a.m.
We will carpool and cruise country roads in local areas that were historically prairie. Viewing will be done predominantly from the vehicles, using the cars as blinds, and communicating by radio. Typically, we’ll see several species – notably Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark – on roadsides or in fields, often in abundance if there is adequate snow cover. Snowy Owls have been spotted in past years and last year
we were fortunate to observe a Northern Shrike. Other species we’ll search for include Rough-Legged Hawk and Merlin. Of course we’ll enjoy any bird we see, including our many year-round residents.
Please call Mary to confirm your attendance.
by NIAS | Nov 26, 2024
Open Land Birding
Thursday, January 30, 9:00 am to noon
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204
Carpool from the Harbor-Freight lot in Freeport at 9:00 a.m.
We will carpool and cruise country roads in local areas that were historically prairie. Viewing will be done predominantly from the vehicles, using the cars as blinds, and communicating by radio. Typically, we’ll see several species – notably Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark – on roadsides or in fields, often in abundance if there is adequate snow cover. Snowy Owls have been spotted in past years and last year
we were fortunate to observe a Northern Shrike. Other species we’ll search for include Rough-Legged Hawk and Merlin. Of course we’ll enjoy any bird we see, including our many year-round residents.
Please call Mary to confirm your attendance.
