RE: Scouting....Before daylight?
do as tkycaller says. Time is your best friend I think. Nothing else. Taking the time to just sit back and just watch the birds. As the season approaches I sure don't like to call to them with anything and I definitley don't walk through the bush or feilds I am going to hunt. The reason to walk the property would be to get to know it and I bet you know this land already. You said there is lots of birds so you don't need to go find feathers or poop to confirm their presence. Just sit back and observe and leave it untouched for you and your friend IMO. Move around at different times of day and watch for them from afar. Once you spot them, just watch them. That it's, that's all. You do this for a couple weeks before the opener and you'll know where to be when you're buddy arrives.