American Woodcock Habitat Occupancy and Migratory Origins in East Texas
Investigators:
Dan Sullins, M.S. Student
Stephen F. Austin State University
Project Supervisors:
Dr. Warren Conway
Dr. David Haukos
Funding:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey Stephen F. Austin State University
Cooperators:
Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex
Dr. Dan Collins
Patrick Walther
Location:
North America
Completion:
December 2013
Status:
Completed
Objectives:
Measure patch occupancy of wintering American woodcock
Using band recovery and isotope data, determine harvest derivation for southern wintering grounds.
Progress and Results:
I am examining landscape scale American woodcock habitat use and availability during winter in East Texas. Specifically, I am quantifying and estimating occupancy and presence of American woodcock on 24 unique survey plots on public and private forest lands, using a trained pointing dog on GPS-tracked surveys. From these data, I will estimate survey area, detection rates, occupancy, and woodcock density as related to habitat quality and quantity as estimated using a revised habitat suitability index for wintering woodcock in the region. Finally, in an attempt to characterize migratory origins and connectivity, I am using stable isotopes from nationally harvested subadult woodcock, to delineate migration corridors and connections between natal and wintering grounds. Combined, these data will be important in updating and validating winter habitat models and migratory corridors for American woodcock.
Products:
Thesis:
Sullins, D. Patch occupancy and origin of American woodcock wintering in east Texas. M.S. graduate 2013, Stephen F. Austin State University
Publications:
Sullins, D.S., W.C. Conway, D.A. Haukos, K.A. Hobson, L.I. Wassenaar, C.E. Comer, and I.K. Hung. 2016. American woodcock migratory connectivity and post-juvenile dispersal as indicated by hydrogen isotopes. Journal of Wildlife Management 80:510-526.
Professional Presentations:
Sullins, D.S., W.C. Conway, D.A. Haukos, K.A. Hobson, L.I. Wassenaar, and C.E. Comer. 2015. American woodcock migratory connectivity as indicated by hydrogen isotopes. Joint meeting of American Ornithologists' Union and Cooper Ornithological Society, Norman, OK.
Sullins, D., W. Conway, C. Comer, K. Hobson, and I. Wassenaar. 2013. American woodcock connectivity as indicated by hydrogen isotope. Annual Meeting of The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Houston, Texas.
Sullins, D.A., W. Conway, and D. Haukos. 2012. American woodcock (Scolopax minor) habitat suitability and occupancy in eastern Texas. 48th Annual Meeting, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fort Worth, Texas.
