Woodcock

[wooly]

Got out for a hike today and flushed 6 woodcock and two grouse.

I must have been close to this birds nest because it kept coming back to me trying to lure me away after I almost stepped on it. There was another one a few feet away from this one so maybe I just interrupted these two "bumpin' uglies" ,lol

Anyhow, these things have always been a challenge for me to photograph so I was happy to come away with a few shots!

They've gotta have one of THE most effective camouflage patterns in the woods no doubt. Don't take your eye off these suckers once you spot one on the ground!

[turkeyfeathers]

Did the grouse scare the heck out of you when they flushed ? Them things make my heart skip a beat when they rumble into the air.  Great pics of Bills named “ timber doodles ! 

[moog5050]

Nice Wooly.  

[doebuck1234]

Great pics!

[landtracdeerhunter]

Nice shots. Odd little game bird; don't ya think?

[Cabin Fever]

Great pics! Don't think I've ever spotted one on the ground before. They're usually air-borne before I get to see them!

[Lawdwaz]

Worm eaters!!

[coonhunter]

Great job. They are the toughest little buggers for me to spot on the ground.

[mowin]

Those are great wooly.

I haven't seen a woodcock in yrs. Watched my cousin catch one yrs ago during fall turkey season. We were set up near a swamp one evening hunt, and this woodcock walked literally into his lap. He grabbed it and after letting it go, it just walked away. Lol

 

[wooly]

4 minutes ago, Cabin Fever said:

Great pics! Don't think I've ever spotted one on the ground before. They're usually air-borne before I get to see them!

Thanks guys!

That's usually the way it works for me too, but this time of year they don't tend to fly to far, so if you keep an eye on them sometimes they'll let you catch up before they take off again. I try not to pursue them too far in case they are nesting so nothing raids the eggs while they're gone.

[ny hunter]

Great pics 

[Doewhacker]

It’s a little early for them to have nested and layed eggs so I’m betting you interrupted their love session. My wife is the best at spotting them in front of the dogs on point, I am 0 for all of them  lol

They should be due to arrive here any day now. Our snow just melted enough for them have an easy go of it too.

 It’s one of my favorite things about where we live, I can hear a good number singing their peent calls all spring and there is always a few that stay and hatch a brood. Last year one of the first of the year was in my front yard on the side and my dogs pointed it. 

 

Also last year I nailed one flying across a road mid March before the last of the snow came. I probably did it a favor. 

I love those goofy birds. 

 

Edited to add last year they came March 29th. I’ll have to see if I can find some tomorrow. 

Edited April 3, 2018 by Doewhacker

[crappyice]

I almost stepped on one a week ago checking a ramp patch that was not up yet. I was really shocked since I didn’t know their flyway included New Rochelle(Westchester)


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[Doewhacker]

3 minutes ago, crappyice said:

I almost stepped on one a week ago checking a ramp patch that was not up yet. I was really shocked since I didn’t know their flyway included New Rochelle(Westchester)


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They go everywhere, they have even been spotted in Central Park. 

[Doewhacker]

Here’s a favorite of mine, they track them through sighting logs and some Gps. 

http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/migration-maps/Migration-Maps-Feb-2018#.WsLORiIpCEc

[philoshop]

The only thing I've ever seen that can take off with it's nose straight down and fly straight up. Weird little birds.

[BigVal]

Really cool birds. I see them pretty frequently when grouse hunting and hiking. I don't wanna shoot them though. 

[crappyice]

They go everywhere, they have even been spotted in Central Park. 

Yeah...everyone (and bird I guess) goes to Central Park!!! New Ro is no travel/tourist destination!!!!


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[JALA RUT]

I saw a woodcock hiking in Durand Eastman Park last weekend.  Never saw one there before. Neat looking birds!

[G-Man]

What I thought you need the newest mossy oak or real tree to blend in.

 

 

.amazing photos as always.

[sodfather]

Great pics Wooly thanks for sharing 

[nyslowhand]

IRC, maybe in May while turkey hunting is when they have nests with eggs. I've walked upon them a few times when the mommy bird feigns the wing injury and trots off to distract me (predators). Once you see them do that, you tend to walk a little more gingerly while looking for the ground nests. Actually came upon a nest a few years ago while doing my 1st ATV path mowing in spring and mowed around it. Bad news - following day the momma was gone and the nest was empty. My bad!! Now read that that's typical for them to abandon disturbed nests.