I have heard them in my backyard and seen fleeting glimpses, but never had a chance to get a really good look at an American Woodcock. That is until today and it has to be my strangest birding experience yet.

A fall, winter and spring of birding, with lots of pasta dinners and little exercise has led to a rather significantly larger me. Determined to shed some pounds I pulled out the road bike and plotted a course around the perimeter roads of the Great Swamp. Honestly, my hopes were to hear a Chat somewhere along the way.

While on New Vernon Road at rush hour today I could see traffic ahead veering around a bird in the road. As I got closer, I saw little dots around the bird. Imagine my surprise when I realized that it was a mother American Woodcock with six chicks trying to cross the busy thoroughfare.

I stopped my bike and created a barricade on my side of the road so that the birds could make it to the side. Another cyclist, traveling in the other direction, stopped to direct traffic around the scene. By this point, mom had flown into the cover. We waited for all the chicks to make it into the dense foliage on the roadside and went on our way.

Best look I ever had at a woodcock and a life look at the chicks. I only had my phone, but was able to get a couple of shots.

I am still amazed by the encounter.













Rob

RGallucci Photography

www.rgallucci.com


RGallucci Photography
www.rgallucci.com
Taking the time to see the world a little bit differently. Taking the time to capture the inner beauty inside and surrounding us all. Enjoying photography of Wildlife ...

(516) 996-6200