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SOUTHERN FINGER LAKES

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News, Politics, and Culture for

SOUTHERN FINGER LAKES

Baby Woodcocks!! A rare sight photographed in rural Allegany County

PHOTOS: The reclusive bird caught crossing the road with chicks

From Tim Lunn and Candy Lunn

It’s funny how things happen sometimes. It was only 24 days ago that I saw the Woodcock in the Hanging Bog area and excitedly posted pics explaining that it was only the third one I had ever seen and the first in over 30 years. Wednesday evening Candy and I took a little sunset ride and as we headed home, we took a road that we seldom ever do, Stowell Hill Road between Cuba and Black Creek.

As we neared the summit from the Spring Valley side of the hill, I spotted the silhouettes of what looked like a bird and 3 small ones crossing the road. Sure enough, it was a Woodcock Hen with 3 chicks! So I didn’t have to wait near as long for my next sighting and my first ever sighting of chicks.

As you can see by the pics, mama was playing the “Follow me, I have a broken wing” trick to draw me away from her young ones.

I got a few shots and then left the family to continue their travels to wherever they were going to roost for the night.

Read more about the American Woodcock