unnoticed clues

Last week, something strange happened. As I drove down the drive on my way to work, I thought "I haven't seen the Woodcock this year, I saw one a couple of times around this time last year." And there in front of me on the road was a woodcock. It really didn't want to move and I had to go on to the grass to go round it. I got a really close view.
But why did I have that thought and then see it? I can only think that I actually saw it while out feeding the horses, or heard its call or something. Some inner part of me spotted the clues without the rest of me noticing and then that back part of the brain trundled up to the "flight deck" and handed a note saying "woodcock".
I wonder what else I see without really seeing. I have to admit at 6am, I'm not at my best and I'm working on autopilot.

I must try and pay more attention in the morning, I wonder what else I've missed.