Visited my woodland today to begin the construction of a pond. There is a seasonal flow of water from a spring and I wish to utilise this to hopefully construct a pond sufficiently deep to survive the summer dry season.
Whilst wandering around the wood, I disturbed first one and then a second woodcock. The first bird rose up through the tree with its characteristic zigzagging flight pattern and away it went. The other specimen flew low to the ground just about twenty yards before settling again near the water course. This allowed me to get an excellent view of the barring on the plumage of what is a seldom seen but most attractive bird.
The sodden ground will be making it easy for these birds to use their large beaks to probe for worms and other soil borne creatures. I only hope they stay for the spring and breed which would enable me to see their 'roding' flight; a spectacular display flight that can usually only be observed towards dusk. The birds are largely nocturnal and their camouflage is very effective so that they can only be seen when flushed from their hiding paces as was the case today.
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