Looking for tips - big zoom + flash @ dusk

Hello bird photographers who are much more talented then I. Its that time of year where the woodcocks are out displaying at the park near my house. I really want to photograph one. I know where they are and when they come out. That is the issue. Finding them in the daylight is pretty much impossible, but in the evening, I know right where they are. I will obviously need to use a flash, and Im looking for tips about what I should set my camera at for this. I found out I need to stay in 'one shot' focus mode so i can use the AF assist light on the flash. I had the flash set to manual mode ( 550EX II ), zoom set to 105mm ( max ) and power at like 1/2 with a shutter of 1/100 and iso 800 i think( 400mm @ f5.6 ). the light seemed good, but focus was a big struggle for me. ( i learned about one shot and af assist after i got home ) Anything else i should know or be doing? The birds show up between 6:00 and 6:40 pm, sunset is right at about 6 pm currently, so im working with very little light.

I've never used a flash for bird photography. Did you get any shots of the woodcock.

What Larry Johnson said: seeing your 'failed' shots would help in giving pointers.

I've used flash for birds, but the results have been mediocre: really need to get a Better Beamer for this endeavour.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …X3_Better_Beame​r_for.html

Depending on the situation you might want to have a wider beam of flash. Also, the look you are trying to achieve can cause different settings. I always recommend using flash extenders to get the flash off- camera in order to reduce red/ steal eye. Sometimes I'll use an ST-E3/ hold the flash in a position for a main light source. (I mainly shoot in manual mode with a better beamer)

To focus in dark situations (like the owl image) don't rely on any beams, but quickly flash the flashlight on the subject.

Flash off- camera:

I actually never got a single shot off this spring with the woodcocks. They werent out nearly in full force as they were in previous years. So I wont have a chance to mess with them again until next spring.

Look you glenn bartley on YouTube.
He has a good flash tutorial.

I'll just say that flash can, in fact, come in handy, I've used a 580 EX flash with a Better Beamer flash extender. the not-so-good news is that it can be common to get some eye "glare" with the direct flash. But I will say that sometimes it just works!

Here's a couple photos of my gear setup: