Marion County Conservationist Marla Mertz has some nature observations for the month of March.

Mertz said the elusive woodcock begins their mating season in March. She said they are called timberdoodles due to their unique, oddball looks. They are very low to the ground and their huge eyes are set way upon the top of their head. Living around and within the woodland their dance and behavior has given them many other names like bog sucker and mud bat. 

According to Mertz many red-winged blackbirds and killdeer have made their announcements. Grackles, and rose-breasted grosbeaks will soon be returning from their wintering areas. Many of the birds will be returning from Central and South America.

She noted that the turkey vultures will be coming back in March from their wintering grounds in South and Central America. It’s almost like clockwork, migrating eagles leave and the turkey vultures arrive.