American Woodcock Use of Managed Forest Wildlife Openings

ABSTRACT American woodcock ( Scolopax minor ) were surveyed at managed forest wildlife openings in northern Minnesota to assess the importance of management frequency, opening size and configuration, vegetation, and surrounding habitat on woodcock use. Singing ground surveys conducted mid‐April through May 2016–2018 indicated that 69% of openings were used by peenting male woodcock during at least one year. Roosting ground surveys conducted June through August 2016 and 2018 indicated that 72% of openings were used by woodcock in at least one year. Predicted probability of detection was positively correlated with opening size in both singing and roosting ground surveys, although woodcock were observed across the full range of opening sizes ( = 0.78 ha, range = 0.19–2.59 ha). Years since management (1–4 years) was not an important driver of singing ground use, but openings managed more recently were more likely to have woodcock detected in roosting ground surveys. Woodcock were also more likely to be detected in roosting ground surveys at openings with shorter herbaceous vegetation ( = 0.73 m, range = 0.17–1.2 m). The proportion of woodcock habitat adjacent to openings was an important factor in determining singing ground use, with woodcock being more likely to be detected in openings with a higher proportion of surrounding habitat ( = 0.21, range = 0–1.0). At singing grounds, the surrounding habitat may be a more important consideration than the vegetation within openings. Wildlife managers interested in creating and maintaining singing and roosting habitat for woodcock in forest‐dominated areas should create large openings, locate openings in areas with abundant woodcock habitat (young deciduous forest ≤18 years old and lowland and upland shrubs), and use management (mowing) as needed to decrease vegetation height and prevent the establishment of shrubs and trees. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.