This was a fun surprise encounter with a woodcock over the weekend at Lake Renwick Preserve. And we can say with 100 percent certainty that its dance moves are better than ours. (Be sure to have your sound on.) | Forest Preserve District of Will County

Strutting into 2024 with some American woodcock swagger! 🕺🏼💃🏾 May you start the new year on the right foot. Video at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge by Keith Ramos / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Video Description: A grey and brown bird is strutting some serious dance moves, bobbing back and forth on its short legs. | U.S. Department of the Interior

The woodcocks are back in town! American woodcock migration is underway. These secretive birds migrate at night and drop down in lawns, cemeteries, and open fields. During the day they can be seen strutting and bobbing to feel for earthworms moving underground. Earthworms make up more than 70% of their diet. Their eyes are so high up on their head so they can see almost 360 degrees while slurping up their favorite meal. Have you seen any migrators lately? -NS, Naturalist | Cleveland Metroparks