Timberdoodle Flutter
Thursday, April 13, 2023
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Moraine State Park
225 Pleasant Valley Rd
Pavilion #7 McDanel’s Launch Area (North Shore)
Portersville, PA 16051
Come join us in pursuit of one of the most unusual birds found in Pennsylvania – the American
Woodcock – also known as the timberdoodle, night partridge, bigeye, bogsucker or mudsnipe.
With a wingspan up to twenty inches, this chunky bird has big eyes, a very long bill and is very
vocal. Timberdoodle numbers have seen a dramatic decline due to loss of young forest habitat
over the past decades. However, habitat improvement work is being done here at Moraine to
enhance forest and shrub habitat to support a greater diversity of wildlife, including the
woodcock. Join guest speaker Jeff Herrick, Habitat Management Biologist with the Wildlife
Management Institute, who is spearheading the habitat work here at Moraine to learn the
importance of young forest habitats for wildlife, and tips to develop young forest habitat on your
land. In addition, Jeff will provide information on funding availability for wildlife habitat practices
on private land. After the presentation, set out on a short hike in search of woodcock, perhaps
to see the aerial acrobatics of their spring mating ritual, the “Timberdoodle Flutter”. Attendees
should bring binoculars, warm clothes, and field footwear. This twilight woodcock flight is weather dependent, so keep your fingers crossed for mostly clear skies and very little
wind. Pre-registration Required. Registration is on DCNR Calendar of Events webpage.
