Earthworm Habitat Suitability as an Indicator of American Woodcock Abundance
Wildlife Ecology and Management Ella Follman
Madylin Gulley Wildlife Ecology and Management
Lana Haynie Wildlife Ecology and Management
Dutch Holland Wildlife Ecology and Management
Hannah Scherwinski Conservation Law Enforcement
Jack Schneider (Not pictured) Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Ella Stangel (Not pictured) Wildlife Ecology and Management
The American Woodcock ( Scolopax minor ) is a small migratory shorebird and an important game species, widely distributed in eastern North America, and has been confirmed breeding at sites throughout the state of Wisconsin. Their primary food source is earthworms ( Oligochaeta spp.), making up around 60% of the birds’ diet. Woodcocks are vulnerable to pesticide accumulation due to their diet; their presence at a site can indicate a pristine habitat. Other soil properties that influence earthworm habitat suitability may affect Woodcock distribution and abundance. We evaluated the relationship between American Woodcock abun- dance, habitat type, and soil characteristics in central Wisconsin. We used the Village of Plover Conservancy as our study area. We estimated the relative abundance of male Woodcock by surveying managed areas, using a stratified random singing-ground survey based on habitat type. Web Soil Survey data allowed us to assess soil organic matter, pH, and drainage class to create earthworm habitat suitability rankings. Analyses to determine relationships between earthworm suitability, habitat type, and Woodcock abundance are on- going. The results of this study can help predict where Woodcock will migrate to in early spring, informing habitat management decisions. These results could also be used to identify vulnerable areas where the use of pesticides or insecticides should be avoided to benefit Woodcock.
Advisors: Benjamin Sedinger, Ph.D. Mike Demchik, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Poster
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
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