So I took a night hike this past Saturday over at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, a nature reserve located in Clermont, Kentucky, which is not that far from Our Treehouse. I did not expect to fall in love again, but I want you to know I did! With a plump, feathered little guy that weighs in around one-half a pound, a bird known as the American Woodcock. He is not only adorable, he can dance with the best of us! You can see in the above picture his large, bright eyes set on the side of his head, and his long, narrow beak.

I love to learn about birds and their lifestyles, and listen to them sing. I cannot imagine a world without them. And Saturday night an educational class was presented, all about the Woodcock and the male’s elaborate mating dance and flight. He will make what has been described as this PEENT sound, calling out in the early evening, after the sun has begun to set. Then he will take flight high up in the sky and apparently dive rapidly back to earth, all to get the attention of the female Woodcocks. The video presented showed us his groovin’ little dance step, and I think everyone watching the show was smiling. What a talented guy! I have read that the practical reason for his rhythmical moves is to shake up the dirt to aid in finding worms to eat. Me? I prefer to see it as dancing!

He certainly impressed me. I love to dance, and being the romantic that I am I was silently cheering him on as several of us stood out on the prairie grasses of Bernheim listening and watching for this fascinating little Romeo. I heard several of them making their PEENT call, but it was dusky and I could not see them. I knew from the video I watched each male would be turning in all four directions to announce his presence to the females. How smart is that?!! I did see two of them take flight, but quickly lost them in the night sky.

I am adding a YouTube download so you can view an American Woodcock female bird teaching her chicks to dance. Enjoy! I already know it will make you smile! Just click on the url letters.

c   Love, Joan