Two
weeks ago we had four consecutive days where the temperature climbed well into
the forties. That is rather unusual for February at this latitude. Of course it
got everyone pumped up imagining spring right around the corner. Then we had
about fourteen inches of medium density snow and temperatures below zero.
So much for winter being over.
 |
| Snow fleas. |
Now
we are into March and the weather is fickle as ever. Today the high was in the
upper fifties and the roads looked like mud season was here. Maybe it is. Mud season
is a mixed blessing and a sloppy harbinger of spring. On south facing slopes patches
of bare ground indicate warmth. Looking at snow closely you might find snow
fleas (yes, they really exist, google them). A robin showed up over a week ago
and two mourning doves were pecking at sand in the road in town. Everything
points to the arrival of spring weather, which is more than two weeks early.
So
where are the woodcock? That’s what every bird dog owner wants to know. For a
week or two after their arrival it is great fun to hunt them with the dogs. Of
course there is no shooting involved, but it is fun to see the dogs work after
the long winter. Their excitement it infectious.
Recent
research indicates that the woodcock nest fairly soon after arriving and that a
woodcock scared off her nest will re-nest, but she will have less than the
usual four eggs to hatch. So this spring hunt of woodcock is a very short
affair, and then the dogs must wait until both the woodcock and grouse young
are hatched and grown before the dogs can hunt them again.
Do you know if the woodcock are here?
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