Well, the tour description said it would be a Michigan March-and that it was.  The temperature was about at freezing and windy.  But fifteen of us bundled up to stand in a dark grassland on Riethmiller road to see and hear the annual mating ritual of the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor).  While we waited for the show to begin, we had some wonderful views of the sunset that Doug & Nolan were able to capture for us.

Waterloo sunset (Doug Leffler)

Waterloo sunset (Nolan Williams)

We heard Eastern Meadowlark, Ring-necked Pheasant, and an owl that we could not agree on.  Once the peent sounds started a bit after 8PM,  they kept up.  Our estimate was 6-8 individuals.  In addition to the peents, we heard the preflight call and then the winnowing call made during flight.  There were many flights for a good half hour or so.  Only a few of us got a decent took at any birds in flight.  One of our group had her first sighting & hearing of a woodcock.

As often happens at this location, there is often one of these little guys that just hangs out on the path, like he's waiting for us to leave.  By this time there were only four of us left, but it was work the wait.  We got great views of this bold  bachelor.

American Woodcock (Nolan Williams)

Our trip checklist is available on eBird at https://ebird.org/checklist/S165603771