April Kids Corner - Spring Activities
from the Gale River Cooperative Preschool
Getting to Know the American Woodcock!
For those who know what to look for and where to look, April is a time for dusk walks to search for the American Woodcock. The American Woodcock, or timberdoodle as it’s also referred to, is a member of the sandpiper family. It lives in young woodlands, generally near the edge of an open grassy area. They are very well camouflaged, nesting in depressions on the forest floor and remaining hidden from many predators.
Woodcocks are best known for their elaborate aerial courtship display and bopping walk. A quick search for videos online will result in fun clips of woodcocks walking and bobbing their bodies back and forth, set to funky music. Researchers aren’t certain why they walk this way but hypothesize that it may be effective at disturbing earthworms which is their favorite food. On April evenings, if you go for a walk in the half hour after sunset as daylight is fading, you may begin to hear a nasally “peent” call. This is the call the male woodcock makes to entice the female to watch its courtship display. After a few minutes of this, the male will take off into the air, climbing in a spiral pattern until it’s about 200-300 feet off the ground. It will then descend in a zigzag pattern back to the ground. The whole thing takes about a minute and is accompanied by different calls. The male will continue to do this until darkness has truly fallen. The female is usually watching from the edge of the woods and the pair will end up nesting quite close by.
Woodcock numbers have been decreasing and they are now listed as a species of high concern. Because their preferred habitat is young woodlands, it has been disappearing as forests grow older or are cut for development. If you have the opportunity to hear or observe a woodcock this April, take advantage of it!
Want tips on how to explore American Woodcocks this April? Head outside with the ideas below!
Trying to find woodcocks is the best way to experience this. Look for an area with young trees near open fields. Go for a walk just after sunset and listen closely for their distinctive “peent” call. If you hear it, keep your eyes on the tree line as they will be easiest to see against the sky. You likely won’t get a good look, but you may be able to make out the spiral pattern as they make their way into the sky.
There is a long tradition of naturalists as writers, using descriptive and poetic language to capture their experiences. Try writing or drawing about the experience as a way to process, reflect, and celebrate the woodcock’s dance!
Interested in American Woodcock activities and crafts? We’ve got you covered!
The woodcock dance is so catchy, it’s hard not to join in! Why not dress up as a woodcock and attempt their bobbing dance yourself? You could create a woodcock headband with their long bill and make wings out of cardboard or whatever you have around you.
Camouflage is a trick used by many species including the woodcock. It’s also a fun group game! Stand in a wooded area with space to run and have one person be the predator. All the prey stand next to them and when the predator shouts “camouflage” and closes their eyes, the prey runs and hides until the predator counts to ten. Then the predator does their best to spot the camouflaged prey. If they find anyone, they’re out. When they no longer see anyone, they close their eyes and count to ten again while the prey moves closer. This goes on until a prey tags the predator!
Thanks to our partner, the Gale River Cooperative Preschool in Bethlehem, for helping our area parents get kiddos outside for fun no matter the time of year.
We can't wait to share the family fun we're planning with you. Keep an eye out in the coming months for announcements.
