We always seem to forget when we hear the sound what exactly it is. This year we did better. A few weeks ago, my husband went to let our Siberian Husky, Zevna (a.k.a. The Divine Ms. Z), out for an outhouse break. He heard a “pent” and said – “I think the woodcocks are doing their thing.” It was the right time – mid-March – and so I stuck my head out into the cold too and listened. There it was that weird little noise that some describe as a “pent” – though I think it sounds like a “beep.” It truly sounded like it was just over our fence in the scrub – but they like open spaces for their mating display that happens at dusk and pretty much just in early spring – like March.

Being a bit lazy and since it was already pretty dark, I waited until the next night and walked down the street to where there are larger open expanses around a few houses – sort of       meadow-like. And then I waited, in the cold, patiently. I was not disappointed – though I could only hear the full display – not see it. But I returned the next night with my son and we sat quietly waiting. But that night, nothing.

I have not returned – hope to before the end of the month. I think I’m destined to only hear and not see this year. When I was off-island for surgery a week or so ago, I started my healing process at my parents in Connecticut. And not to lose out, my Mom and I got in the car and dragged my sorry self up the old farm field that is now a preserve. And again, heard but not seen! Frustrating.

But if you have not seen one – or the hysterical little “dance”/walk they do, visit our friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

JNLF