Join the Open Lands Committee in search for American woodcock

posted on: 4/18/2016

Join the Dover Open Lands Committee on Saturday, April 30 as they welcome spring by searching for the elusive American woodcock.

Often referred to as the harbinger of spring, this curious bird has a unique mating flight that is as entertaining as it is effective. Males entice females by flying in upwards spirals for hundreds of feet chirping along the way, then free-falling to the ground only to start the whole process over again.

This informal group will gather at 7 p.m. at the Community Garden Shed to the right of Beckwith Baseball Park, off Hillside Drive. From there, the group will walk into the fields of the Cassily property as the sun sets listening and searching the dusk skies for this curious bird.

Registration is free and open to the public. Families are welcome but please keep pets at home.

Since the group will return after dark, a flashlight and mud boots are recommended.

Please RSVP to Steve Bird at s.bird@dover.nh.gov or 603-516-6008. Those who are signed up will be contacted in the event of a weather-related cancellation. Updates will also be posted to the Dover Open Lands Committee Facebook page.