For this special observation, we go to Finland, more specifically to the garden of the cottage where I was staying with the other researchers. In early June, I woke early. I was still rubbing the sleep from my eyes and reaching for a coffee mug when Clemens pointed out that a woodcock was parading in front of the kitchen window. And not just any one: there were chicks! Wading bird chicks, of any species, are incredibly adorable. Unlike great tits, whose chicks are born helplessly blind, wading bird chicks can walk from day one. They are truly fluffy miniature birds. It's incredibly unique to see chicks, let alone those of a species as shy as the woodcock. Soon, the whole house was in an uproar! I was able to take photos through the kitchen window.
And what did I see? There were six chicks! That might not sound unusual at first glance, but it is. Wading birds typically lay four eggs. Even more unusual was the pronounced age difference between the chicks. Two chicks were clearly younger. Speculation quickly arose, and the most common theory was that the two youngest chicks were adopted chicks. This has already been observed in several other species (for example, avocets, but also ruffs).
A little over a week later, I was about to go to the bathroom when I saw the woodcock family again from the bathroom window. We could see five more chicks, and the age difference was much less distinct. This time, we were also able to observe and photograph them through the open front door. What a unique experience! Much more unique than those ruffs that were the focus of the rest of the time!
8th of June
8th of June - Clear age difference between this two chick. The left one is younger than the right one.
8th of June
