Now that I am a student at the University of Wisconsin, I do not have as much time for birding as I would like, but the birds seem determined to find me on campus.
I was right outside my dorm last night, which is in the heart of campus and borders University Avenue, when a large bird flew frantically just a few feet to the side of me, and then proceeded to scuttle around a bit before taking off again and promptly fly smack into one of the cafeteria windows, falling to the ground. After waiting a period, I slowly walked over to this spot and saw the compact form and very long bill of a woodcock or snipe looking at me just a few feet away. It then flew off after seeing me, giving a call that I think sounded more like a woodcock than a snipe, but I am not sure. Because it was so dark and our encounter so brief, I was not able to get a positive I.D. between the two species. Anyway, seeing this bird surrounded by 5-11 story buildings was somewhat odd, and at this time of year as well. Looking forward to getting back to Iowa birding, Elliot Stalter Iowa City --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]. Unsubscribe at http://iowabirds.org/Reporting/Listserv.aspx.
