Acton Conservation Trust member and local birder, Al Sgroi, guided us in viewing the fascinating courtship ritual of the American Woodcock. The males displayed a series of peents, twitters, and chirps as they pranced on the ground, then spiraled rapidly upward, circled and drifted down while whistling. This was a “crepuscular” or twilight-active bird, so we met at sunset to watch and listen for the incredible sky dance. We witnessed 3 or 4 different woodcocks performing their dance. The dance site was Rolling Meadows, a conservation area in neighboring Boxborough.
