Over the past week, I've had a snipe performing courtship flights over my clinic in Harrison County. Every morning, occasionally during the day and every evening I've been treated to its winnowing. It was joined by two others last night. I've had June snipe in the county and wonder if these birds aren't planning to stick around.

For those interested in vultures, I've observed several pais performing their courtship flight the last two weeks. Follow flight consists of one bird slightly above and behind mimicking the lead bird's every move. Typically, the flight style is more direct and purposeful than the lazy circles of soaring birds. Approximately 40% of the time the trailing bird will dive at the lead bird, confirming you are observing courtship,flight.

Finally, I've noticed that the field in front of my house has no regularly peenting woodcock. Before a pipeline crossed the field, there were three to four performers. After the pipeline, wet spots formed and the spring peeper population exploded. I'm wondering if it hasn't gotten so loud from frog calls, the birds have moved on just so they can be heard.

Scott Pendleton

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