Woodcock benefit from hunter-conservation efforts
Woodcock benefit from hunter-conservation efforts
By Tyler Frantz
Hawthorn, alder, crabapple and dogwood thickets, rife with moist soil and early successional growth provide the ideal habitat for the American Woodcock. Also known as a timberdoodle, this fascinating game bird has benefitted greatly from the work of those who pursue it.
Michael Kotay, of Lebanon, serves as Secretary/Treasurer for Woodcock Limited of PA, a non-profit conservation organization founded in 2007, which consists of hunters and conservationists interested in the wellbeing and viability of the species. “The national organization (Woodcock Limited) was formed in 2000, and my brother Tom and I joined,” Kotay said. “We both took a stand on not shooting a full limit of woodcock (3 birds) since we started hunting them 45 years ago. We’ve always had such great fun hunting them with dogs and wanted to do what we could to ensure woodcock hunting opportunities in the future.”
“In 2011, we re-established the national organization and decided to create procedures for states or a group of states to come in as State or Regional Chapters,” Kotay explained.
“Presently, we have Chapters in PA, Michigan, New England, Maine, and Louisiana with a few more states working toward the establishment of chapters. Michigan and PA are the two strongest, holding nearly half the national membership. We hold annual meetings, most often in March, at Bald Eagle State Park- one of the best habitat areas in the state.”
Part of WL’s mission includes a Habitat Work Day, which is coordinated with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Col-Mont Gobblers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. This year’s event was held recently at SGL 325 outside of Muncy, PA.
“During these Habitat Days, we plant seedlings (both tree and shrub varieties), remove invasives, prune fruit bearing trees and use other methods to enhance habitat,” Kotay said. “Our focus is on creating or improving habitat for all game and non-game species.”
“There are loads of woodcock habitat areas, but some are lost each year due to development. We have worked with the Ruffed Grouse Society’s South Mountain Chapter in Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties to improve and create additional habitat in the Swatara State Park. This is a woodcock stronghold in our home area. I know there are many birds here right now,” Kotay said.
October and March are primetime months for woodcock as they migrate through Pennsylvania. Like many migratory species, they may only be hunted in the fall. Though some remain here throughout the year, most spend their winters south of the Carolinas.
Springtime is best reserved for viewing these interesting, long-billed creatures as they perform their unique courtship displays, during which, males fly upward 200-300 yards on twittering wings, before spiraling back to the ground with a unique warbling song at dawn and dusk.
“Sky-dance rituals are going on every evening in all woodcock coverts through late-March,” Kotay said. “This is certainly worth an evening trip to traditional dancing areas to watch.” As the timberdoodle grows in popularity with hunters and birders alike, more people are realizing the need to learn more about this important species.
“As I see things, research is the greatest need for the betterment of the American Woodcock,” said Kotay. “WLofPA assisted Eric Miller with his Master's thesis on the species. His work took place in Swatara State Park and studied the overall effects of invasives on woodcock nesting choices.”
“We netted, banded and gathered information on each bird we captured- 36 in all. We also located about 13 nests with pointing dogs and monitored them throughout the incubation process and monitored the travelings of hens, which were fitted with radio telemetry units.”
“One of the most interesting and groundbreaking research methods used today is through minute transmitters monitored by satellite. This enables researchers to monitor the migration of individual woodcock fitted with transmitters. Prior to this, very little research existed on migration.”
Migration data can be viewed on the Ruffed Grouse Society’s webpage, and WL is in the process of posting it to their webpage at woodcocklimited.org. The website also provides information about WL and its various chapters.
“I am excited by the most recent interest in the American Woodcock. Certainly, this small bird has much to offer the bird hunting public as well as bird watching groups. The Quittapahilla Audubon Society played a big part in trapping and banding for Eric Miller's Study. Their woodcock observation walks are hard to beat.”
Restoring, enhancing and protecting woodcock habitat is a very important challenge. Thanks to the work of Woodcock Limited and its many partners, woodcock are very prevalent in any cover that suits them. Find the right habitat, and one need not travel far to find timberdoodles.
“If I have my stories correct, the Seneca Indians claim that after the great Creator made all the birds, he used the leftover parts to create the woodcock,” Kotay said. “When you see one you can definitely understand why this story persisted.”
The QAS is hosting an Easter Sunday Timberdoodle Skydance walk at Memorial Lake State Park on March 27th at 6:45pm. Call Gary Kinkley at 717-503-4027 for details.
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