American Woodcocks March 2017
These early migrants started appearing as bird-window collision victims around campus in late February and early March because of a very mild late winter. A snow storm and seasonal cold weather disrupted their migration. On campus we had both window-collision fatalities and 2 rescues (although it may have been the same bird both times). I have been aware of Woodcock activity on campus for a few years, they are among the top victims of bird-building collisions. When I heard that American Woodcocks use Houston Meadow for their complex mating ritual dance I made sure that I made it out there to see it. If I found a Woodcock on campus, I knew they would be active at the meadow that night. I made 3-4 visits and was able to record audio of the "peent" call and the strange whistling sounds that the male makes when ascends and descends.
Fatalities and Rescues on Campus:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5418595
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5434030
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5319190
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5161102
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5600112
Audio Recorded at Houston Meadow:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5439408
The American Woodcock fallout this spring made the news:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/nyregion/an-early-bird-gets-caught-in-the-snowstorm.html?_r=0
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