This question and Jim Stasz' reply touches on an important problem - how 
to map out the breeding distribution of woodcocks. This is especially 
relevant now, when so many of us are engaged in the MD Breeding Bird Atlas.

So I asked several leading woodcock authorities throughout the US 
whether males display during migration, and whether migrants are still 
going through MD as late as the Atlas "safe date" of Apr 15. Replies 
came back all over the block, leaving me with the impression that the 
question is still very much open. (A general concensus, at least, 
emerged that Apr 15 was too strict a safe date and it has in fact been 
pulled back to Apr 10).

Something that might shed some light on the question: birders often come 
across woodcock on the Mall, or downtown Baltimore, or other 
non-breeding locales. Has anyone ever heard them display in such places? 
And what is the latest date for such sightings?

Fred Fallon
PG Coordinator, MD-DC Breeding Bird Atlas
Bowie MD


Jim Stasz wrote:

> Hi Folks!
> 
> I have to post something that has bothered me for a very long time.  There is 
> a notion that American Woodocks display while in migration.  I have yet to 
> find the source of information that shows this is true.  If anyone can help, 
> please  do.
> 
> One idea is that males display randomly, wherever there is a suitable habitat 
> to show-off, hope for the best and then continue migrating. Another idea is 
> that the males display to females that have already chosen a nesting area and 
> the males move on...presumably north.    Finally, there is the idea that males 
> display for a suitable period and remain in the area.  The final answer will 
> have a significant impact on methods used for determining the breeding range.
> 
> I have gone to places where American Woodcock display in the "off-season" 
> and, with patience, usually find them.   I will have to dig up the citation, but 
> one source stated that nests typically occur within 300 feet of the display 
> area.  This makes some sense because nesting and display should be in the same 
> area; however, it does not prove anything about males displaying while in 
> migration.   The fact that the start, peak and end of display timing is later as 
> one moves north is a  feature common to most migrating species. 
> 
> Are there any studies, such as banding or radio-tagging, that shed light on 
> this question?  
> 
> Good Birding!
> 
> Jim
> 
> Jim Stasz
> North Beach MD
> 
>