Breeding Bird Blitz puts a spotlight on Rider Park's American woodcock habitat

Trout Run, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology hosts a Breeding Bird Blitz each year. The 24-hour event, which takes place between June 7-17, challenges teams across Pennsylvania to compete to see who can observe the most bird species.

Each team generates support through sponsorships and donations. The state-wide proceeds are pooled, and the proceeds are split between three projects throughout the state that enhance bird habitat, foster bird education, and monitor bird populations.

This year, Rider Park is one of the participating organizations and has received a grant to enhance the American Woodcock habitat.

The American Woodcock is well known for its iconic dance moves and "peent-peent" call.

When they're not grooving across the road, American woodcocks have excellent camouflage. They spend time on the ground in densely wooded or shrubby areas adjacent to open meadows. They use their long beaks to probe for earthworms in damp soil.

During mating season, the male will make "peent peent" calls before flying high into the air, then spiraling down to the ground to land near a female.

To create an ideal woodcock environment, about for acres of meadow along the western edge of Rider Park will be converted into a mosaic of multi-stem shrubs and trees. This area already has wet ground where woodcocks have been observed foraging for worms. Park staff hope that the birds will benefit from a more complex habitat.

In addition to enhancing the woodcock habitat, several informational signs about the birds will be added to the park. Finally, the Rider Park team will partner with Lycoming Audubon Society to offer public programs to experience American Woodcock spring courtship displays.

To donate to the Rider Park Breeding Bird Blitz team, visit www.breedingbirdblitz.org/williamsport-warblers to donate to the “Williamsport Warblers” team. This local team is composed of Lycoming Audubon Society members and Rider Park Manager Sara Street.