Finding Woodcocks in the Chicago area (2 Viewers)

[willister]

I want to see one. Not just hear one. I got to see a shadow flippy-flapping up and away at Black Swamp Observatory a couple weeks back. I'm hooked. I really want a view of the absurdity of these crazy chickens.

Any tips? I can see the e-bird hotspots, but that doesn't generally give quite enough to actually find them. At least not for me.

Thanks!

 

[etudiant]

I want to see one. Not just hear one. I got to see a shadow flippy-flapping up and away at Black Swamp Observatory a couple weeks back. I'm hooked. I really want a view of the absurdity of these crazy chickens.

Any tips? I can see the e-bird hotspots, but that doesn't generally give quite enough to actually find them. At least not for me.

Thanks!

Can't help with Chicago, but there are a couple of Woodcock staying in NYC's Bryant Park, just behind the mid Manhattan main public library at 5th Ave and 42nd St.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1664004244242833409

Bryant Park is only 10 acres, with lots of facilities, so these birds can be quite urbanized. Chicago surely has some similar situations.

 

[willister]

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep my ears open in the parks near me. And keep checking e-bird, I guess.

 

[willister]

Bryant Park is only 10 acres, with lots of facilities, so these birds can be quite urbanized. Chicago surely has some similar situations.

You weren't kidding: Google Maps

That is not a giant park, and from the shadow, the picture was taken midday. That's definitely not the behavior I would have been looking for.

 

[etudiant]

You weren't kidding: Google Maps

That is not a giant park, and from the shadow, the picture was taken midday. That's definitely not the behavior I would have been looking for.

They are usually in the planted areas near 40th St, more towards 6th Ave. They can still be a bear to spot, even knowing that they are there.

 

[Scott98]

Finally got a decent view of one! They seemed to be all over here, eastern Mass., in late March and early April. I pursued them but never got a clean view of one in my binos, only silhouettes of dark shapes. Then, I didn't hear any for a month and I assumed they moved on.

Last week, I was out on a walk at dusk on trail that passes a nearby solar farm when I heard the distinctive quacking and flittering sounds they make - 2 different ones. I didn't have binos. But, I eventually heard the quacking right next to the trail. I crept closer, using a small knoll as a blind, and got to within 15 feet of the bird. Even though it was getting dark, I was so close I finally got a decent look - I could make out the long bill, brown color and body of it.

Looking forward to more sightings of them! I stopped at a highway rest stop recently in CT and could hear one next to the parking lot in the woods.