About two years ago I was thrilled to see my first American woodcock at Glacier Ridge Metro Park near Columbus. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bugtrumpet/3718911415/in/set-72157623937316177/

My first thought was that this bird looked like the old drawings of birds that, when I first saw the drawings brought the word "absurd" to mind.  I thought the drawings more reflected an approach to drawing/painting in the 19th century than to reality.  I have since come to realize that they are well adapted to their environment and are fascinating birds.

I have never seen the courtship display and would love to see it.   I have not seen the woodcocks again a Glacier Ridge though.  Can someone suggest an area around Central Ohio where there is a good chance to see these birds?

Thanks
Tim Hutson
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-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MikeSmith
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 11:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Timberdoodles-Lorain Co.


Charlemont Reservation, Lorain County
Tues. 8 March 2011
5:30pm - 7:00pm
40's, cloudy/overcast, calm

I went out to Charlemont this evening hoping to see my first woodcock of the year. When I got there, I first walked back to the stand of pine trees I reported seeing long-eared owls in on the 20th of February, no owls in the pines today. I got over to the wetlands area, which is on the south side of New London Eastern Road at 6:15pm. The peenting started at 6:40pm, followed by a good number of courtship display flights. I'm reporting 25 woodcocks observed, but that is a conservative estimation. Barred owl was heard only, from the southeast corner of the wetlands area.

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