"msonormal">There's a lot of
singing and dancing going on in Cleveland Metroparks this spring.
But, not by humans - by birds- the American woodcocks!
"msonormal">Everyone is invited
to witness the elaborate song and dance of American woodcocks, and
learn more about their lifestyles and mating rituals by attending
the following free programs in April:
Family Friday
Night: Woodcock Walk
" font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Friday, April 23 � 8 - 9:15
p.m.
" font-family: 'Times New Roman';">North Chagrin Nature Center �
North Chagrin Reservation
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class="msonormal">" font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10.0pt;">One sure sign
of spring's arrival is the sound of woodcocks calling in the local
fields. Come out for the sights and sounds of woodcock courtship on
a 1.5-mile walk. North Chagrin Nature Center is located off
Buttermilk Falls Parkway, off the Sunset Lane entrance of North
Chagrin Reservation, off SOM Center Road/Route 91 in Mayfield
Village. For more information, call 440-473-3370.
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class="msonormal">
Woodcock
Watch
" font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Saturday, April 24 � 8:15 - 9
p.m.
" font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Royalview Picnic Area � Mill
Stream Run Reservation
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class="msonormal">" font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10.0pt;">Join
Naturalist Jenny McClain to experience the spectacular spring
performance of the male woodcock. Listen for the distinctive call,
watch the sky dance, and learn about their amazing adaptations for
survival. Royalview Picnic Area is located off Royalview Lane in
Mill Stream Run Reservation, off Valley Parkway, just south of
Royalton Road/Route 82 in Strongsville." font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10.0pt;">For more
information, call 440-526-1012.
"msonormal">
"msonormal">A rotund little bird
with a long beak that is used to pull earthworms out of the mud,
the American woodcock lives in forests. The male woos his mate with
an elaborate song and dance ritual that is one of spring's birding
delights.
"msonormal">Woodcocks can be
heard in the eastern United States and Canada in April, and can
continue to be heard in some northern sites in May. These
spectacular sky dances only take place when it's darker, so most
predators can't easily see them. In addition, owls, prime nocturnal
predators, are not attracted by the low-frequency �peents� and the
higher pitched wing and warbling sounds that are made, because the
bird is too high in the air for owls to catch.
"msonormal">Watch and listen this
spring for woodcocks singing and dancing in Cleveland Metroparks
- part of your life, naturally.
