HIDDEN TREASURES - Field Notes June 19, 2019

There’s a nest out there…cleverly disguised and hidden. Many field nesting species are in steep decline due to loss of habitat and human activity. Hay harvesting is of grave concern as in a good year, hay is ready to be cut before the chicks leave the nest. This year so far, is an exception.

Getting Closer….

I found this nest on May 26 with only one egg in it.

On May 28 there were two eggs in this nest.

On May 31, there were four beautiful eggs

Mother Woodcock has begun incubating her eggs. She will sit here for between nineteen to twenty two days, keeping the eggs warm and dry or moist and cool, depending on the weather. She will turn them periodically.

Meanwhile on the Bruce Peninsula, some Woodcock chicks have hatched and are making their way about the world.

Perilously close……These two young Woodcock chicks were following their mother across a busy highway.

Mother was doing the comical bobbing strut that Woodcocks do, leading these little ones straight into oncoming traffic. I stopped the car, mother flushed as I approached. I stood between these little ones and the road until the traffic passed.

Holding Tight……Woodcocks characteristically “hold” when threatened. It’s their default defence mechanism. These little ones hunkered down on the shoulder of the road initially, and once danger had passed, I shooed them off into the ditch. I know their mother will return to find them.

Back to the nest we are watching……..On June 19.

It’s over…… June 19.

I tread carefully through the much taller grass, pollen puffing from the heads of the ripening plants. Mosquitos follow my every move, each swat I make barely deters them. I’m hopeful to find either Mother Woodcock still sitting on her eggs, or one or two hatchlings. Sadly, I find neither. The nest appears abandoned and unfortunately, disturbed. Some of the nesting material has been pulled from the centre of the nest. I can only hope they have hatched successfully and are on their way to becoming adults.