Week of March 11–15: Woodcock Watch - A Birder's Meet-up

American woodcock. Photo by Rick Wright.

Week of March 11-15, 2026 (specific date dependent upon the woodcock’s calendar). Meet at 6:15 p.m. Address provided upon registration. To register, email your contact information to MBCoutings@gmail.com. Attendance limited to 12 people.

Each spring, American woodcock males put on an amazing courtship display that we can witness here in NJ. At dawn and dusk, the males produce a loud peent call from the ground, then spring up into the air, flying in a wide spiral with their wings twittering. Once they reach 200-250 feet, they zig zag back to the ground, chirping as they go. 

Club member, Deb DeSalvo, has generously offered to host a meet-up to view the woodcock courtship dance at her Hunterdon County farm in Oldwick, NJ. Depending upon when the woodcocks begin to display, Deb will give us a heads-up and the meet-up will happen in the next day or two. Woodcock courtship usually happens sometime between March 11-15.  Once we arrive, we will walk around Deb’s property for a short time, birding as we go. At sunset, which is around 7 p.m., we will walk to a wetland area at the northern end of her property, where we are likely to hear and, with luck, see the birds. 

Sunday, March 29: Jersey City Birds, Beer and Brats - A Birder’s Meetup

Red breasted merganser. Photo by Beni Fishbein.

Meet in Liberty State Park, parking lot 3 near the East Jetty on Morris Pesin Drive. 

This is a joint outing with the Sierra Club. We will meet at 2:00 the south end of Liberty State Park, in parking lot 3, near the East Jetty (C on the map), on Morris Pesin Drive. The best access is from Exit 14B of the NJ Turnpike Extension. See park map here. We will walk the paved Hudson River Walkway past Caven Point, about a mile each way. Expected birds include bufflehead, hooded and red-breasted mergansers, green-winged teal, American black duck, mallard, double-crested and perhaps great cormorants, brant, and early migrants. Scopes will be helpful. Restrooms are available at the park office. 

We will bird for about 2-1/2 hours, after which those who are interested can meet for an early dinner at Zeppelin Hall Beer Garden, featuring a wide selection of European and American beers, German sausages and American barbecue. 

For more information and to confirm attendance, please text or call Bill Beren at 862 283-8754.