Deneen and I witnessed two Woodcocks competing in their courting ritual on Tuesday Feb 21 just after dusk. Yesterday morning the 22 we heard another one in a different location (our house) just before dawn. Last year we first noticed them in the middle of March. It has been unseasonably warm here in CT this winter but maybe they always start this early.
Owl encounter and a coyote on the game camera.
The other night Deneen and I went out to shovel the driveway at about 9pm. We have a very long driveway and were walking out to start at the far end when we heard a Great Horned Owl hooting from not far away. Having heard of people hooting back to get the animal to come closer I did so. After a few exchanges of hoots it did indeed fly much closer and landed in a large tree right in front of us. We hooted to each other a few more times while it stared at us. It was quite large with wide wings. It then flew toward us, almost directly above, took a sharp right and went off.
After shoveling loudly for and hour (long driveway) we noticed the owl in another tree on the edge of the field. We watched it for some time scanning the ground for prey.
It felt good to be recognized by a wild animal like that. Another reminder to go outside because thats where the cool things happen.
I also got a picture of an Easter Coyote on the game camera for the first time.
Ghost Fox
I found a scent post on this tree with my nose while doing chores outside. I put the game camera on it and a few days later got these cool pictures of this Red Fox.
It has snowed since then and tracks of the fox went to and from the tree with a cluster of tracks suggesting another spritzing but the camera is acting up and did not capture it. I wonder how often it visits there? It is within easy sight of my house.
Black Bear on game camera
Deneen saw bear tracks at this spot one day and a week or so later I found another fresh set nearby.