Social Meet-Up at the Pine Bush Preserve

On the evening of April 14, RiverRun families gathered at the Pine Bush Preserve for a potluck dinner and educational program to learn about the American Woodcock and to observe its elaborate mating ritual flights, which take place every night just as dusk arrives for a brief period of time each spring.

We split up into two groups and went out to the nature trails to listen for Woodcock calls so we would know where to watch when dusk arrived. We tried to be as quiet as possible so we could be very close to them when they performed their display.

Signs of deer-eaten plants along the way to locate some Woodcocks. 

Children and adults alike were all thrilled to witness the display a few times!