Microhabitat Characteristics of Nocturnal Roost Sites of American Woodcock in East Texas
Long-term declines in American woodcock (Scolopax minor) populations may be partially the result of low survival rates on wintering grounds especially in nocturnal habitats. We compared microhabitat characteristics of woodcock nocturnal roost sites to random sites in eastern Texas. We located woodcock roost points by nightlighting in winters of 2000-01 (45 points) and 2001-02 (74 points). Percentage bare soil, sapling-size tree canopy cover above 0.5 m, and sapling density were greater at roost than random sites. Conversely, shrub ground cover (i.e., below 0.5 m) was lower at roost than...
