Form 3-156 North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey

SURVEY BACKGROUND AND INSTRUCTIONS
The singing-ground survey provides an index to the relative size of the woodcock breeding population in North America. It is the most important source of data used to guide federal,
state and provincial woodcock programs. As part of their courtship behavior, male woodcock exhibit aerial and vocal displays each evening. They begin by giving calls described as
"peents" shortly after sunset. From habitat types called singing-grounds, birds alternately "peent" and make flight songs. New survey participants should become thoroughly familiar
with these woodcock sounds before running routes.
Originally, survey routes were run in areas of prime habitat where woodcock were known to be present, but subsequent studies showed that these counts did not accurately reflect
overall woodcock densities. Consequently, new routes were selected randomly so that all habitat types would be surveyed and results would better reflect the status of the overall
woodcock population. A normal characteristic of such random surveys is that some routes will fall in unfavorable habitat, so do not become disheartened if you do not hear birds on
your route. Your results are still valuable.
Please follow the below instructions closely so that data from your route will be of maximum value. The quality of the survey depends on you.
OBSERVER

It is preferable that the same observer run the same route each year. If it is known that a new observer will take over next year, both observers (old and
new) should run the survey together this year to ensure that the new observer learns survey procedures and local route conditions. Both observers
should record and submit their results independently.

SURVEY DATES

See the survey map (below) to determine survey dates in your area. When spring weather is early or late, routes conducted up to 5 days outside the
survey period will be accepted. We encourage cooperators to run survey routes early within their survey window.

CALCULATE START
TIME USING LOCAL
SUNSET TIME AND
SKY CONDITIONS

Correct timing is the key to valid data! Calculate the start time for your survey date using the provided local sunset times and the formula below.
Record the sunset time for the survey date on the survey form. If the sky is clear or up to and including 3/4 overcast, add 22 minutes to the sunset time
to determine the starting time. Or, add 15 minutes if the sky is more than 3/4 overcast. Example: If sunset = 8:30, and it is more than ¾ overcast, start
at 8:45. If it is ¾ or less overcast, start at 8:52. If your judgment dictates variation from this timing, as in the case of deep valleys, clearly explain under
"Remarks." Do not use military time. If sunset times are not provided, consult or the local media.

PROCEDURE

Plan to arrive at stop 1 of your route at or shortly after local sunset. When the start time approaches, shut off your vehicle's engine and step several feet
away. At the start time, record the time on your survey form and commence listening for woodcock. Listen for 2 minutes and record the number of
different woodcock heard "peenting." Then proceed rapidly 0.4 miles (0.6 km) to the next stop and repeat the procedure. Continue to do so until all 10
stops have been covered. If a bad traffic hazard prevents stopping within 100ft. of the 0.4 mile mark, proceed to the next stop and note "no stophazardous" in the space for the stop omitted. Be sure to check the survey form's box that indicates if your odometer readings are in miles or kilometers.
SGS routes must be completed in the allotted time period (38 minutes). Therefore, begin listening for woodcock at stop 10 no later than 36 minutes
after the time at stop 1. This ensures that the survey is conducted during the peak activity period of "peenting" male woodcock. Survey procedures
allow for 2 minutes of listening/recording time at each stop, and an additional minute for travel time in between stops. If a traffic hazard prevents you
from listening at a route stop or completing the survey route within the specified amount of time, please clearly explain the reason in the remarks
column.

RECORDING COUNTS

Only record the number of different "peenting" woodcock. Do not record birds you hear performing only the flight song, and do not record the number
of "peents" heard. When no birds are peenting, record "00" in the appropriate column. When disturbances at a particular stop make a count absolutely
impossible, note the type of disturbance and proceed to the next stop. Upon completion of the route, record the total number of birds heard.

DISTURBANCE

Disturbance
NO
LO
MOD
HI

Description
No appreciable effect on count.
Slightly affecting count.
Moderately affecting count.
Seriously affecting count.

Example
Occasional crow calling.
Distant tractor noise.
Intermittent traffic.
Heavy-continuous traffic.

THINGS TO AVOID
NUMBER OF TIMES
TO COUNT

Do not run routes when the temperature is below 40° F (5°C), in heavy precipitation or strong wind.
Normally, conduct a route only once during the specified period. However, if weather or other factors cause invalid counts at five or more stops the
route should be rerun on another evening.

REPORTING

Immediately after running your route, mail 1 copy of the survey form to your State Coordinator, keep 1 copy of file for your records, and mail the
original form to: Woodcock Surveys, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 11510 American Holly Dr., Laurel,
MD USA 20708-4002. Forms must be received at the Laurel office by May 21. Fax your form if necessary to (301) 497-5871 to meet this cut off date,
and then mail the original form. Survey results should also be entered via the Internet at http://woodcocksgs.fws.gov by May 21.

Your cooperation in this important survey is greatly appreciated. About mid-July you can view and print the results of this year’s singing-ground survey online at
http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html You can also query and download Woodcock SGS route level data at http://mbdcapps.fws.gov

Recommended Period for Conducting Woodcock Singing-ground Survey

MAY 1 – MAY 20

APRIL 25 – MAY 15
APRIL 20 – MAY 10

APRIL 15 – MAY 5

APRIL 10 – APRIL 30

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 522a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501), please note the following information. This study is authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16
U.S. C. 703 et seq.). The information you provide will be used for estimating woodcock relative abundance. It is our policy not to use your name for any other purpose. All names and identifying information
will be removed when we compile the results, and only summary information will be reported. The information is maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act. Your response is voluntary. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The information collection has been approved by
OMB and assigned clearance number 1018-0019. We estimate that it will take you about 0.67 hours to read the instructions and complete the survey. For those reporting electronically, we estimate that it will
take an additional 8 minutes. Comments on this form should be mailed to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, ms 222-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW. Washington, D.C. 20240.