i did some research on the woodcock
. as we dont get them here.. mostly eastern coast...... you did get a beautiful picture of it........ and the female it says looks almost like male just a little plumper....lolol...... nice pictures....

I was completely dumbfounded when I first saw the woodcock in my yard. I had no idea what it was. Its like a combination of a slender billed duck and a dove. It took me a while to find it on the internet. Im almost and hour from the coast, so why she is in my yard, is beyond me. I dont see her often. I think she stays under the trees which are covered by thick periwinckle vinca. You rell can get lost under there. Everything seems to find its way here though. Ive had butterflies land clearly on their last flight looking transparent and ghostly. The wings completely fade out and become very thin with pieces missing. Ive watched praying mantis take their last breath. When they die the entire eye turns black. This little garden is so peaceful and I really think all the critters find it to be a safe place. Even the bunnies will sit at our feet and eat from our hands. The wild birds land on the bird bath a foot away from the chair Im sitting on with no fear. We never turn anything away. I provide constant food and fresh water for whatever arrives. It the least I can do for them.

Leigh, do you have any forest nearby? That's prime Woodcock habitat, not shoreline. They are wicked cute little birds, but I have had the bejeezus scared out of me more than once by one. You often see them when walking down a woods road or through the woods, when one suddenly explodes into the air right at your feet! They're so well camouflaged you don't see them, and they stay perfectly still until you almost step on them.

That is so true! Ill be out there walking then all of the sudden its that explosion!! lol....They are so cute and I feel so blessed to have one in my yard. Maybe theres more! We live in a golf course community. The entire area here is surrounded by a good amount of woods. We even have red fox running the streets at night. We are near Rancocoas State Forest, and the Lenape Indian Reservation. My yard though is surrounded by 15ft Nigra Arbovites as a living fence. Once your in the back you would never know our houses are only 10 ft apart. The trees are all connected like maze walls are. Then the landscape beds are all around the house with mature azaleas, lillies, hosta, hollies, and other evergreens. Its a complete habitat out there. Kinda like a mini forest!! lol..