At this time of year, there is a chorus outside the window every evening. The spring peepers are singing their little hearts out like a well rehearsed choir.
But at just about dusk, another voice comes to add notes to the chorus.
The woodcock is here. His mating ritual involves flying upward in the darkening sky, in a huge spiral, all the while calling out his buzzy 'peent' note.
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When he is as high as he can go -- often more than 100 feet up there, he flutters back to the ground with a erratic movements, making what are described as melodious whimpering chirps -- not to mention the soft trill of his wings. Just before reaching the ground he levels off, skims along the surface and sets down almost in the exact spot from which he took off.
He then struts about a bit on terra firma, looking pretty sexy. (and looking around for his lady love)
And then starts it all over again.
Right now, his stage of choice is the horse pasture and garden, right behind Sunflower cottage.
Have a little listen... you can hear the frogs singing back-up.
Quite a long beak on this one!
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