SMETHPORT — The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) singing ground surveys for woodcock are slated for April 15.

Members of the RGS Allegheny and Upland Bird Hunt (UBH) chapters and other volunteers will conduct the surveys.

Other members of the public are invited to attend and learn about the woodcock “sky dance,” one of nature’s truly unique courtship displays. Register with John Dzemyan at jdzemyan@gmail.com if you plan to attend so information is available for everybody.

Volunteers will meet between 6 and 6:30 p.m. at the park in Clermont, McKean County. Many volunteers will bring a snack of some type to share — e.g., sausage, cheese, chips and dips.

Once everybody has become familiar with other attendees, had a bite to eat and received their woodcock survey information, the volunteers will head to their survey spots between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Most surveys will start after 8 p.m. and last 30 to 40 minutes as the sun sets.

The seven survey routes out of Clermont were established by the U.S. Geological Service decades ago, and have been monitored on an annual basis by volunteers within the RGS or the American Woodcock Society.

Come on out and learn what this fun volunteer activity is all about and how it benefits woodcock.