The Lloyd Center for the Environment will be hosting a spring woodcock walk at the Noquochoke Wildlife Management Area in Dartmouth on Tuesday, March 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The dusk courtship flights of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor) are a sign of spring, occurring across open landscapes often before the last snows have melted.

Participants are invited to experience the spectacle at the Noquochoke Wildlife Management Area off Sheffield Lane in North Dartmouth, a known staging area where the state manages habitat specifically for woodcocks. 

Lloyd Center Research Associate Jamie Bogart will lead the walk, which costs $10 for Lloyd Center members and $13 for non-members.

Walkers will spend the first hour exploring the property for other bird activity that may occur at dusk.

If an owl is in the area, walk leaders will play tapes of calls to try and get a response. Then participants will settle in for the main event: woodcocks performing their aerial displays.

Those attending should dress warmly and bring a camera, binoculars, flashlight, and chair.

The number of participants is limited to 15.

In case of inclement weather, the walk will be held on Wednesday, March 24.

Pre-registration is required by noon on March 23. Pre-register online at lloydcenter.org/calendar.

Call Jamie Bogart at (508) 990-0505 x 23, or email jbogart@lloydcenter.org with specific questions about the program.

Note: To prevent the spread of Covid-19, masks and social distancing will be required.