HABITAT USE AT NIGHT BY WINTERING AMERICAN WOODCOCK IN COASTAL GEORGIA AND VIRGINIA

Nocturnal habitats used by American woodcock (Scolopax minor) were stu d led using radio telemetry at two coastal wintering sites in Georgia (1982-84) and Virginia (1991-92). In Georgia, use of forested habitats at night was extensive while use of fields at night varied between ye ars but generally was low. We found no difference in the probability o f moving to a field at night among the four age-sex classes (P = 0.23) . A significant effect (P < 0.05) of age-sex class was noted between d istances moved from diurnal to nocturnal locations in Georgia. Young f emales moved farther than any other age-sex class. In Virginia, no eff ect of age-sex class was found on the probability of being located dur ing the night in either a field or a forest.