Woodcock spotted.

With this first breath of spring and the dog getting antsy in the back yard decided it was a good day to take a walk in the bush. Although quite a few redwings, robins, and grackles have been around didn't really expect to see any woodcock especially since there still is quite a bit of snow around. Made a loop around the sunnier spots and doesn't she lock on point. Not long though as a little whir of wings busted from cover and dropped on the outer side of the thicket. With the whistle of wings can finally say spring is here. Only saw the one but I'm sure with this warm breeze more too follow over the next few days.

With the warm weather predicted this week I would expect more doodles next weekend.

Had my dog out this morning, we found 3 woodcock.

Todays walk revealed a pair of woodcock. The ole girl handled them well. Birds where together she point the first it flush she relocated and pointed the second nice little double up.

I had a surprise today morning in Bolton. We went for our regular morning walk with the dog. I saw 3 and heard another 2. They were jumpy. They flush before we can get close enough for a point.
I was so surprised one flushed from middle of soccer field. Which is goes against everything I heard or read about them.

Jozsef

Yes I find spring migrants tend to be more jumpy than the fall. The one in the soccer field may have been a snipe, was the field flooded?

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Yes I find spring migrants tend to be more jumpy than the fall. The one in the soccer field may have been a snipe, was the field flooded?

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It was a WC. There is still snow on the field. That is the reason we couldn't get close enough. It was early morning the snow was crunchy even some grass spots was frozen.

It was roosting during the night in that field.

good to hear! had a great weekend flushing a dozen. hoping for more this coming weekend!!

is there a open season on Woodcock anywhere right now or are you guys just working your dogs on them?

No open season right now.

I went out yesterday since here in town the snow is pretty much all gone. ... Not so much in the bush. Still 2ft of snow. We didn't see jack

My dog flushed one this morning in Muskoka. Not too sure how it's going to feed!?

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Originally Posted by seabast

My dog flushed one this morning in Muskoka. Not too sure how it's going to feed!?

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It must have had a hard time flying while wearing "snowshoes ".:)

Animals are feeding on the pine or spruce trees seeds, I was deep in the bush this mornin and those trees have domes under neath and the seeds are all falling down underneath and all the snow is melted under these trees. So I assume its either seeds frozen and died this year? or last years. Must of spooked 4 birds walking the dog in there.

First wc this year today just north of GTA. 9 flushes, few of them repeats.