48 Nebraskaland • March 2023
atypical record for this species. The fact that woodcock occur
this far west in Nebraska is perhaps all the evidence that is
needed to demonstrate this species has expanded its range
here since Euro-American settlement.
At this point in the story, however, some interesting
questions arise. What is a forest-dwelling shorebird doing in
the largest remaining continuous grasslands in the world?
And why are Nebraska woodcock having to select unusual
habitats both during migration and during the summer in
the fi rst place? Nebraska is many things, but it is hardly ever
described as forested, particularly prior to Euro-American
settlement and west of the Missouri River.
This apparent woodcock expansion in the Cornhusker
state coincides with a similar westward range expansion in
Manitoba during the same period. Our satellite transmitter
data show that some birds tagged locally fl y directly north to
Manitoba, indicating there is a possible link between range
expansion in Nebraska and central Canada. However, is the
range expansion of the American woodcock something to
celebrate, or should it cause concern?
Woodcock populations have indeed declined throughout
most of their range as modern forestry and land use practices
have reduced the extent of early-successional forests, a key
habitat requirement for the species. Expansion in Nebraska
has largely been driven by the expansion of woody vegetation
west along major river valleys. Woody invasion of grasslands
may have provided an opportunity for this species to
expand westward in the state, but for grassland ecosystems,
The male woodcock pictured on page 45 spent time feeding in this center-pivot irrigated soybean fi eld south of
George Syas WMA from late June through August last year.
PHOTO BY JOEL JORGENSEN
erhaps one of the most interesting findings of our study is that during the
summer, woodcock in Nebraska progressively used irrigated agricultural
fields. While woodcock routinely use open areas, including fields, as nocturnal
roosting sites, our research showed woodcock using irrigated soybean and corn
fields during the day when they were likely feeding."
" P
