DOCSLIB.ORG

Scolopax Rusticola -- Linnaeus, 1758

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Scolopax Rusticola -- Linnaeus, 1758 Scolopax rusticola -- Linnaeus, 1758 ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- CHARADRIIFORMES -- SCOLOPACIDAE Common names: Eurasian Woodcock; Woodcock European Red List Assessment European Red List Status LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Van den Bossche, W., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) In Europe this species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern in Europe. Within the EU27 this species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern in the EU27. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Albania; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Faroe Islands (to DK); Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland, Rep. of; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Malta; Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom Vagrant: Bosnia and Herzegovina; Greenland (to DK); Iceland; Svalbard and Jan Mayen (to NO); Gibraltar (to UK) Population The European population is estimated at 6,890,000-8,710,000 calling or lekking males, which equates to 13,800,000-17,400,000 mature individuals. The population in the EU27 is estimated at 728,000-1,470,000 calling or lekking males, which equates to 1,460,000-2,940,000 mature individuals. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Trend In Europe the population size is estimated to be stable. In the EU27 the population size is estimated to be decreasing by less than 25% in 18.9 years (three generations). For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology The species is sedentary on Atlantic islands (Hayman et al. 1986, Van Gils and Wiersma 1996) and in some areas in south-western maritime countries (Snow and Perrins 1998) but is otherwise strongly migratory (Hayman et al. 1986, Van Gils and Wiersma 1996). The distribution of earthworms is an important habitat characteristic for the species throughout the year (Johnsgard 1981). For breeding the species requires extensive unfragmented areas (Hayman et al. 1986, Van Gils and Wiersma 1996) of broadleaved deciduous or mixed broadleaved/coniferous forest (Johnsgard 1981) containing a dense undergrowth of shrubs and ground cover (Lutz and Pagh Jensen 2005) (e.g. of brambles (Rubus spp.), holly (Ilex aquifolium), hazel (Corylus avellana), gorse (Ulex spp.), bracken (Pteridium spp.) or bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)) (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996, Lutz and Pagh Jensen 2005) and with a mosaic (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996) of dry, warm resting places, moist areas for foraging (Johnsgard 1981, Hayman et al. 1986) (e.g. streams, springs or damp, swampy patches) (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996), and clearings or other open areas as flight paths (Johnsgard 1981, Hayman et al. 1986). The species may also nest in swampy forests with mossy ground, brooks and other watercourses or alternatively in coniferous forest with moist leaf litter and an undergrowth of broadleaved shrubs and ferns (Johnsgard 1981). The species's habitats requirements during the daylight hours of the non-breeding season are similar to its breeding habitat requirements but are less restricted (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996). As well as extensive broadleaved or mixed broadleaved/coniferous forest (Johnsgard 1981) the species will also occupy young conifer plantations (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996), hedges with high densities of trees and shrubs (Duriez et al. 2005b), smaller woods, areas of scrub (Hayman et al. 1986) and coppiced habitats with coppice that is 7–20 years old (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996). It still shows a strong preference for woodlands with rich (e.g. mull) humus types that have high earthworm biomasses, and a dense shrub strata however (Duriez et al. 2005b). At night during this season the species gathers to roost and feed in damp, earthworm-rich, permanent grasslands (Hayman et al. 1986, Van Gils and Wiersma 1996, Duriez et al. 2005b), showing a preference for grazed meadows compared to cultivated fields (as the latter contain higher earthworm biomasses) (Duriez et al. 2005b). The species may also feed on intertidal mud during freezing weather (Hayman et al. 1986). Its diet consists predominantly of earthworms, especially during the non- breeding season (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996), but the species may also take adult and larval insects (e.g. beetles, earwigs and millipedes), spiders, slugs and leaches. Habitats & Altitude Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance Occurrence Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations suitable breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations suitable non-breeding Forest - Boreal suitable breeding Forest - Temperate major breeding Forest - Temperate major non-breeding Shrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable breeding Shrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation suitable non-breeding Altitude Occasional altitudinal limits Threats The most significant threat to the species in its breeding range is the increased fragmentation of woodlands (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996). Outside of the breeding season the species is threatened by the disappearance of permanent grasslands (Van Gils and Wiersma 1996) and through the intensification of agricultural practices (e.g. the destruction of hedges, decreases in the number of permanent grazed meadows and the impoverishment of soil fauna as a result of ploughing and chemical application) (Duriez et al. 2005b). The species is also susceptible to avian influenza (both in its breeding and wintering range) so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006). The species is widely hunted, with the largest numbers taken in France, Italy, U.K. and Spain. Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Agriculture & Agro-industry Timing Scope Severity Impact aquaculture farming Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem degradation Biological resource Hunting & trapping Timing Scope Severity Impact use terrestrial animals Ongoing Minority (<50%) Unknown Unknown (intentional use - species is the target) Stresses Species mortality Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Invasive and other Avian Influenza Timing Scope Severity Impact problematic Virus (H subtype) Past, Likely to Majority (50-90%) Rapid Declines Past Impact species, genes & Return diseases Stresses Species mortality Natural system Other ecosystem Timing Scope Severity Impact modifications modifications Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact Stresses Ecosystem degradation Conservation Conservation Actions Underway The species is listed on Annex II (A) and III (B) of the EU Birds Directive. Conservation Actions Proposed Permanent grasslands in key wintering areas need to be sustainably managed and restored. Bibliography Bauthian, I. 2005. Dynamiques spatiales des espèces d’intérêt cynégétique. L’apport des modèles de dynamique des populations. Ecologie, Université Paris. Bauthian, I., Iljinsky, I., Fokin, S., Julliard, R., Gossmann, F. and Ferrand, Y. 2006. Survival rates of Russian Woodcocks. International Wader Studies 11: 61-64. Blokhin, Y.Y., Mezhnev, A.P. and Fokin, S.Y. 2006. Woodcock hunting bag statistics in Russia since 1996. International Wader Studies 11. Bregnballe, T., Noer, H., Christensen, T.K., Clausen, P., Asferg, T., Fox, A.D and Delany, S. 2006. Sustainable hunting of migratory waterbirds: the Danish approach. In: Boere, G., Galbraith, C. and Stroud, D. (ed.), Waterbirds around the world, pp. 854-860. The Stationary Office, Edinburgh, UK. Clausager, I. 2006. Wing survey of Woodcock and Snipe in Denmark. International Wader Studies 11: 106-112. Duriez, O., Eraud, C., Barbraud, C. and Ferrand, Y. 2005. Factors affecting population dynamics of Eurasian woodcocks wintering in France: assessing the efficiency of a hunting-free reserve. Biological Conservation 122(1): 89-97. Duriez, O., Ferrand, Y., Binet, F., Corda, E., Gossmann, F. and Fritz, H. 2005. Habitat selection of the Eurasian woodcock in winter in relation to earthworms availability. Biological Conservation 122(3): 479-490. Ferrand, Y., Aubry, P., Landry, P. and Priol, P. in prep. Behavioural responses of human disturbance
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Status in Michigan, 2017
    Printed by Authority of: P.A. 451 of 1994 Total Number of Copies Printed: 207 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Cost per Copy:................................$0.84 Wildlife Report No. 3642 Total Cost: ................................... $174.00 September 2017 Michigan Department of Natural Resources RUFFED GROUSE AND AMERICAN WOODCOCK STATUS IN MICHIGAN, 2017 C. Alan Stewart and Lori Sargent ABSTRACT Hunter cooperator surveys, spring breeding surveys, and mail harvest surveys are conducted each year to monitor Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and American woodcock (Scolopax minor) populations. Annual data comparisons are described for hunter cooperator survey (2015–2016), Ruffed grouse drumming survey (2015-2016), American woodcock spring breeding surveys (2016-2017), and mail harvest survey (2010-2011). Ruffed grouse cooperators hunting the first 4 days of ruffed grouse season reported an average 1.93 grouse per hour in 2016 compared to 0.91 grouse per hour in 2015. The usual spring drumming grouse surveys were not conducted this year because of concerns over past open records requests from a hunter whose activities jeopardized the validity of the survey. There was an increase detected in Michigan’s woodcock index based on the singing-ground survey from 2016-2017 and during the ten-year trend from 2007-2017. Significant long-term (1968-2017) declines were detected regionally and statewide, respectively. Woodcock banders in Michigan spent 1,950 hours afield in 2017 and banded 937 chicks. There were about 67 chicks observed and 48 chicks banded per 100 hours of search time, compared to 66 chicks observed and 49 banded in 2016. There were 112 ruffed grouse drumming routes surveyed in 2015 and 105 in 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • Migration Timing, Routes, and Connectivity of Eurasian Woodcock Wintering in Britain and Ireland
    Migration Timing, Routes, and Connectivity of Eurasian Woodcock Wintering in Britain and Ireland ANDREW N. HOODLESS,1 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF, UK CHRISTOPHER J. HEWARD, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF, UK ABSTRACT Migration represents a critical time in the annual cycle of Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), with poten- tial consequences for individual fitness and survival. In October–December, Eurasian woodcock migrate from breeding grounds in northern Eurasia over thousands of kilometres to western Europe, returning in March–May. The species is widely hunted in Europe, with 2.3–3.5 million individuals shot per year; hence, an understanding of the timing of migra- tion and routes taken is an essential part of developing sustainable flyway management. Our aims were to determine the timing and migration routes of Eurasian woodcock wintering in Britain and Ireland, and to assess the degree of connec- tivity between breeding and wintering sites. We present data from 52 Eurasian woodcock fitted with satellite tags in late winter 2012–2016, which indicate that the timing of spring departure varied annually and was positively correlated with temperature, with a mean departure date of 26 March (± 1.4 days SE). Spring migration distances averaged 2,851 ± 165 km (SE), with individuals typically making 5 stopovers. The majority of our sample of tagged Eurasian woodcock migrated to breeding sites in northwestern Russia (54%), with smaller proportions breeding in Denmark, Scandinavia, and Finland (29%); Poland, Latvia, and Belarus (9.5%); and central Russia (7.5%). The accumulated migration routes of tagged individ- uals suggest a main flyway for Eurasian woodcock wintering in Britain and Ireland through Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, and then dividing to pass through the countries immediately north and south of the Baltic Sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Ruffed Grouse
    Ruffed Grouse Photo Courtesy of the Ruffed Grouse Society Introduction The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is North America’s most widely distributed game bird. As a very popular game species, the grouse is in the same family as the wild turkey, quail and pheasant. They range from Alaska to Georgia including 34 states and all the Canadian provinces. Historically in Indiana, its range included the forested regions of the state. Today the range is limited to the south central and southeastern 1/3 of the state in the southern hill country, with a few pockets in counties bordering Michigan. Ruffed grouse weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds and grow to 17 inches in length with a 22-inch wingspan. They exhibit color phases with northern range birds being reddish-brown to gray while those in the southern part of their continental range, including Indiana, are red. History and Current Status Before settlement, grouse populations ranged throughout the hardwood region of the state. In areas where timber was permanently removed for farms, homes and towns grouse habitat has been lost. During the early1900’s, many farms in the south-central portion of Indiana were abandoned. As a result of this farm abandonment, the vegetation around old home sites and in the fallow fields grew through early plant succession stages. About the same time, the reforestation era began as abandoned farms reverted into public ownership under the management of state and federal natural resource agencies. By the 1950’s, natural succession, reforestation, and timber harvest management were beginning to form a myriad of early successional forest patches across a fairly contiguous forested landscape.
    [Show full text]
  • Priority Information Needs for American Woodcock a FUNDING STRATEGY
    Priority Information Needs for American Woodcock A FUNDING STRATEGY Developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Support Task Force. March 15, 2010 D.J. Case and Associates (editor). 2010. Priority Information Needs for American Woodcock: A Funding Strategy. Developed for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies by the Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Support Task Force. 16pp. Priority Information Needs for American Woodcock A Funding Strategy Developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Support Task Force Compiled and Edited by David J. Case and Sarah J. Sanders D.J. Case & Associates March 15, 2010 Photo credits: Top row: left by Rucker Sewell; right by paco lypic Second row: CC Chapman Third row: Ren West Fourth row: atlantic life Illustration of American woodcock by Bob Hines, USFWS Table of Contents Table of Contents Executive Summary . i Introduction . 1 Status of American Woodcock. 1 Priority Information Needs . 6 Priority 1. Develop a demographic-based model for assessing American woodcock population response to harvest and habitat management . 6 Priority 2. Develop communication strategies to increase support for policies and practices that benefit American woodcock and other wildlife of young forests . 7 Priority 3. Improve understanding of migration, breeding, and wintering habitat quality for American woodcock . 9 Priority 4. Improve the Singing-ground Survey . 11 Measuring Success . 13 Literature Cited . 15 Appendix A: 2009 Workshop Participants . 16 Figure 1. American woodcock management regions, breeding range, and Singing-ground Survey coverage and winter range . 2 Figure 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife in Your Young Forest.Pdf
    WILDLIFE IN YOUR Young Forest 1 More Wildlife in Your Woods CREATE YOUNG FOREST AND ENJOY THE WILDLIFE IT ATTRACTS WHEN TO EXPECT DIFFERENT ANIMALS his guide presents some of the wildlife you may used to describe this dense, food-rich habitat are thickets, T see using your young forest as it grows following a shrublands, and early successional habitat. timber harvest or other management practice. As development has covered many acres, and as young The following lists focus on areas inhabited by the woodlands have matured to become older forest, the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis), a rare amount of young forest available to wildlife has dwindled. native rabbit that lives in parts of New York east of the Having diverse wildlife requires having diverse habitats on Hudson River, and in parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, the land, including some young forest. Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine. In this region, conservationists and landowners In nature, young forest is created by floods, wildfires, storms, are carrying out projects to create the young forest and and beavers’ dam-building and feeding. To protect lives and shrubland that New England cottontails need to survive. property, we suppress floods, fires, and beaver activities. Such projects also help many other kinds of wildlife that Fortunately, we can use habitat management practices, use the same habitat. such as timber harvests, to mimic natural disturbance events and grow young forest in places where it will do the most Young forest provides abundant food and cover for insects, good. These habitat projects boost the amount of food reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioenergetics-Of-American-Woodcock
    BIOENERGETICS OF AI\,ÍERICAN IVOoDcocK DURING THE BREEDING SEASON ON MOOSEHORN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, MAINE By William Matthew Vander Haegen B.S. University of Massachusetts, 1983 M.S. University of Massachusetts, 1987 A DISSERTATTON Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in \ilildlife) The Graduate School, University of Maine May 7992 Advisory Committee: William B. Krohn, Professor of Wildlife and l-eader, Maine c-ooperative Fish and wildlife Research unit (co-chairman) g._ luy Owen, Jr., Professor of Wildlife (Co-chairman) Frederick H. Servello, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Wìlliap E. Glana Associate Professor of Zoology 'White, Alan S. Associate Professor of Forest Rèiources BIOENERGETICS OF AI\4ERICAN WOODCOCK DURING THE BREEDING SEA.SON ON MOOSEHORN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, MAINE by William Matthew Vander Haegen Thesis advisors: Williem B. Krohn, ph.D. Ray B. Owen, Jr., Ph.D. An abstract of the Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Wildlife). May,1992 Bioenergetics of female American woodcock (fulgE minor) was studied from 1987-1989 at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Maine. A model of daily enerry expenditure was developed from laboratory-derived data on metabolic rates; from data on activity and microclimates collected in the field; and from body component analysis of collected birds. Enerry demands incurred by female woodcock on the breeding grounds were highest during the Pre-nesting (60.3 kcaVday) and Iaying (S9.1 kcaVday) periods. Availability of food (earthworms [Lumbricidae]) is normally sufficient during these periods, but shortages such as the one caused by persistent soil frost in spring of 1989 can delay nesting and affect productivity.
    [Show full text]
  • Data Report for the Collection of Eggs From
    DATA REPORT FOR THE COLLECTION OF EGGS FROM SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BELTED KINGFISHER, AMERICAN ROBIN, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, AND EASTERN PHOEBE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HUDSON RIVER FROM HUDSON FALLS TO SCHODACK ISLAND, NEW YORK HUDSON RIVER NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT HUDSON RIVER NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES STATE OF NEW YORK U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FINAL RELEASED SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 REVISED JUNE 15, 2005 Available from: U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hudson River NRDA, Lead Administrative Trustee Damage Assessment Center, N/ORR31 1305 East-West Highway, Rm 10219 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3281 REVISION HISTORY to Data Report for the Collection of Eggs From Spotted Sandpipers, American Woodcock, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, Red-Winged Blackbird, and Eastern Phoebe Associated with the Hudson River From Hudson Falls to Schodack Island, New York The following revisions were made in June 2005: 1. The following typographical error appeared on p. 5, Section 3.0 of the original draft of the report: "Decimal latitude readings as reported by the GPS system." This sentence was removed. 2. The analytical chemistry results for spotted sandpiper were unintentionally omitted from the original draft of the report. These results were inserted at Appendix C. 3. In Appendix C, page 1 of the results for the Barn Swallow was out of order in the original draft of the report. This page has been moved to the correct location. DATA REPORT FOR THE COLLECTION OF EGGS FROM SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BELTED KINGFISHER, AMERICAN ROBIN, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, AND EASTERN PHOEBE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HUDSON RIVER FROM HUDSON FALLS TO SCHODACK ISLAND, NEW YORK PREPARED FOR HUDSON RIVER NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES STATE OF NEW YORK U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of the Great Plains: Family Scolopacidae (Woodcocks, Snipes, and Sandpipers)
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Birds of the Great Plains (Revised edition 2009) by Paul Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2009 Birds of the Great Plains: Family Scolopacidae (Woodcocks, Snipes, and Sandpipers) Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/bioscibirdsgreatplains Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Birds of the Great Plains: Family Scolopacidae (Woodcocks, Snipes, and Sandpipers)" (2009). Birds of the Great Plains (Revised edition 2009) by Paul Johnsgard. 25. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/bioscibirdsgreatplains/25 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Birds of the Great Plains (Revised edition 2009) by Paul Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. FAMILY SCOLOP ACIDAE (WOODCOCKS, SNIPES, AND SANDPIPERS) Marbled Godwit American Woodcock Philohela minor Breeding Status: Summer resident in west-central and northwest­ ern Minnesota, with nesting records for Pennington and Becker counties and a summer record from Pope County. Nesting in Iowa is fairly frequent (Iowa Bird Life 46:65) and has occurred in Brookings County, South Dakota (South Dakota Bird Notes 25:6). There is a 1972 nesting record for Sarpy County, Nebraska (Nebraska Bird Review 42:43). There are also three recent Kansas nesting records for Jefferson, Woodson, and Douglas counties (Kansas Ornithological Society Bulletin 26:22, 27:9, 28:22). There is a 1973 breeding record for Payne County, Oklahoma (Ameri­ can Birds 27:789), and since that time there have been a surprising number of Oklahoma nestings.
    [Show full text]
  • Shorebird Habitat Conservation Strategy
    Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Shorebird Habitat Conservation Strategy May 2007 1 Shorebird Strategy Committee and Members of the Joint Venture Science Team Bob Gates, Ohio State University, Chair Dave Ewert, The Nature Conservancy Diane Granfors, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bob Russell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bradly Potter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mark Shieldcastle, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Greg Soulliere, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cover: Long-billed Dowitcher. Photo by Gary Kramer. i Table of Contents Plan Summary................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgements...................................................................................................... 2 Background and Context ................................................................................................. 3 Population Status and Trends ......................................................................................... 6 Habitat Characteristics .................................................................................................. 11 Biological Foundation..................................................................................................... 14 Planning Framework.................................................................................................. 14 Migration and Distribution........................................................................................ 15 Limiting
    [Show full text]
  • American Woodcock Conservation Plan a Summary of and Recommendations for Woodcock Conservation in North America
    American Woodcock Conservation Plan A Summary of and Recommendations for Woodcock Conservation in North America A Wildlife Management Institute Publication February 2008 American Woodcock Conservation Plan A Summary of and Recommendations for Woodcock Conservation in North America Edited by: James Kelley Scot Williamson Thomas R. Cooper Compiled by the: Woodcock Task Force Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Working Group Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies © February 2008 A Wildlife Management Institute Publication Technical edit and publication design by Jennifer Rahm, consultant Front Matter Table of Contents Page Introduction 1 Bird Conservation Region Action Plans 11 Prairie Potholes 17 James Kelley 12 Boreal Hardwood Transition 25 Dan Dessecker 13 Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain 32 Tim Post 14 Atlantic Northern Forest 45 Dan McAuley 21 Oaks and Prairies 59 David Haukos, James Kelley 22 Eastern Tallgrass Prairie 67 James Kelley 23 Prairie Hardwood Transition 75 James Kelley 24 Central Hardwoods 83 David Krementz, Nick Myatt 25 West Gulf Coastal Plain/Ouachita 92 David Krementz, Nick Myatt 26 Mississippi Alluvial Valley 99 David Krementz, Nick Myatt 27 Southeastern Coastal Plain 108 Scot Williamson 28 Appalachian Mountains 116 Mark Banker 29 Piedmont 128 William Palmer 30 New England/Mid-Atlantic Coast 138 Scot Williamson 31 Peninsular Florida 148 Scot Williamson 37 Gulf Coastal Prairie 151 James Kelley Appendix I 155 Appendix II 157 Bibliography 159 iii American Woodcock Conservation Plan Executive Summary The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is a popular game bird throughout eastern North America and is managed on the basis of two populations: eastern and central. Both populations have experienced significant declines since surveys were first implemented in the mid-1960s.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Migration Ecology of American Woodcock in the Central Region of the United States
    FALL MIGRATION ECOLOGY OF AMERICAN WOODCOCK IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF THE UNITED STATES FALL MIGRATION ECOLOGY OF AMERICAN WOODCOCK IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF THE UNITED STATES A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science By NICHOLAS ANTHONY MYATT, B.S. Northland College, 2002 August 2004 University of Arkansas This thesis is approved for Recommendation to the Graduate Council Thesis Director: ______________________ David G. Krementz Thesis Committee: ______________________ W. Fredrick Limp ______________________ Kimberly G. Smith THESIS DUPLICATION RELEASE I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this thesis when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed___________________________ Refused__________________________ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank everyone who made my research possible. Dr. David Krementz, my major advisor, provided advice and support throughout my project, as well as provided me with an excellent start to a career in wildlife management and ecology. Dr. Fred Limp and Dr. Kimberly Smith provided valuable help while serving on my thesis committee. This project was made possible through funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Region IV and the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. I especially thank Dr. David Andersen, Dr. Scott Lutz, Dr. John Bruggink, Kevin Doherty, Jed Meunier, Eileen Oppelt and their field crews who captured and radio-marked woodcock, and provided information on departure dates. Housing was provided by Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Two Rivers NWR, Marais de Cygnes NWR, Mingo NWR, Lower Hatchie NWR, and St. Catherine Creek NWR. I would also like to thank my pilot Jimmy Goad for his incredible abilities to withstand endless hours of aerial radio telemetry and for his flexibility to my constantly changing schedule.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementing the American Woodcock Conservation Plan Progress to Date
    Implementing the American Woodcock Conservation Plan Progress to Date Wildlife Management Institute October 2010 Executive Summary o achieve the goals set forth in the American Woodcock Conservation Plan, published in 2008, the Wildlife Management Institute and its partnering agencies and organizations T have launched four regional habitat initiatives in the primary breeding range of the American woodcock, which spans eastern North America from Atlantic Canada to the Great Lakes. Since the 1960s the woodcock population has fallen by about 1.2 percent each year, largely because the birds’ preferred habitat – young, brushy forest – has dwindled. Many states now classify the woodcock as a “species of greatest conservation need.” Conservation biologists consider the woodcock to be an “umbrella species,” which means that creating habitat for woodcock simultaneously helps more than 50 other kinds of wildlife – including many species whose populations also have fallen – that need young forest during part or all of their life cycles. In carrying out the regional initiatives, teams of experienced biologists provide public and private landowners with technical advice on how best to create young forest. They work to build and strengthen partnerships between and among federal and state natural resource agencies, wildlife and land-use organizations, foresters and forest-products companies, and owners of woodlands both large and small. Using the latest scientific techniques, they monitor woodcock, including the response of local populations to improvements and increases in habitat. More than 50 new Demonstration Areas (described in Part II of this publication) showcase habitat- management techniques while providing thousands of acres of young forest where woodcock can feed, breed, and rear their young.
    [Show full text]