Witness the dance of the woodcock

LAKE ARIEL, PA — The Audubon Society invites the public to join it for the spring courtship dance of the American woodcock, on Friday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Varden Conservation Area. Both the sound and sight of the courtship flight is highly distinctive and one of the wonders of nature.

The American Woodcock is the smallest upland game bird currently found in Pennsylvania. The male’s habitat preference for courtship is a wet, open field or recently cut forestland, while feeding, nesting and brood-rearing takes place in young (two- to 10-year-old) forests. Since 1968, when records were begun, the number of American woodcock males heard in Pennsylvania surveys has declined.

“Varden Conservation Area provides the woodcock with key habitat for its seasonal cycles,” said Jen Naugle, environmental education specialist for Promised Land State Park and the Varden Conservation Area. “Trails from the Tannery Road Access lead to some wet, lowland fields, and a short walk (or flight) from there takes one to overgrown fields and young forests,” says Naugle, “Management plans for the Varden Conservation Area include maintaining the open fields with a three-year mowing rotation.”

Naugle will give a short talk before the hike. Waterproof footwear is highly recommended as some parts of the trail may have deep puddles. A small flashlight and binoculars are also recommended.

For more information call 570/253-2364.