Woodcock Watch!

The display of male American woodcock, termed the “Sky Dance” by Aldo Leopold, is one of the first hallmarks of spring when they migrate back to Maine from their wintering grounds in the southeastern US. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) annual surveys suggest that woodcock populations have declined over the past half-century. Using new GPS tracking technology, researchers at the University of Maine have led efforts across the eastern U.S. and Canada to learn more about woodcock migration, including how well the USFWS singing ground surveys correlate with the arrival of woodcock on their breeding grounds.  This program will focus on the knowns and unknowns of woodcock migration, breeding strategies, and population declines, including new findings that the GPS tracking technology has made possible.  Following the presentation, we’ll go outside to observe displaying male woodcock performing their Sky Dance at twilight over the sanctuary.

Please pre-register for all programs at https://maineaudubon.org/events .