Some Characteristics of Fall Migration of Female Woodcock

1 January 1976

journal article
research article
Published by JSTOR in The Journal of Wildlife Management

Vol. 40 (1) , 91-95
https://doi.org/10.2307/3800159

Abstract

Nine female woodcock (Philohela minor) were radio-tagged in central Pennsylvania [USA] before fall migration to monitor premigratory and migratory movements. Within 15 days of departure, 5 of the birds moved 0.8-8.0 km from their normally used area, but the remaining 4 did not move. In 1973, 5 marked woodcock began migration between 30 Nov.-8 Dec. In 1974, 4 birds departed between 18 and 29 Nov. Departures coincided with high pressure centers approaching from the N and W or low pressure centers retreating to the N and E, or both. Eight of the 9 woodcock departed 2.5 h or more after sunset and at least 7 left before midnight. Two hatching-year birds were tracked for up to 201 km SSW of the study area during 2 nights. Their air speeds (mean .+-. SD) were 36 .+-. 2 and 45 .+-. 3 km/h.

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