Form 3-156 North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey

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AMERICAN WOODCOCK SINGING-GROUND 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. Visit http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Woodcock/id for identification tips and to hear a
sound clip of a peenting woodcock.
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

Survey protocol requires that whenever possible the same observer should 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 if possible to allow for one year of overlap. New observers
should complete the survey with the previous observer on the same day at the same time, however both should collect and submit data independently
(observers should ride together in the same car, but collect data on separate survey forms, and not discuss what they hear or compare results). This
will ensure that the new observer learns survey procedures and local route conditions. Further, because observer data are used as covariables to
adjust for differences in observers’ ability to hear woodcock, and the approach used to calculate the 2 year population trend requires at least 2 nonzero counts by at least one observer, overlapping new with previous observers will ensure that route data qualifies for the 2 year comparison. If a year
of observer overlap is not possible, data collected by a new observer is still valuable and will still qualify for the long term trend analysis.

SURVEY DATES

See the survey map (below) to determine survey dates in your area. When spring weather is early or late, contact the North American Coordinator for
permission to conduct routes up to 5 days outside the survey period. 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. (If you use an alternate or media sunset time source please write your
source on the survey form as your start time calculations will be verified accordingly).

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 100 feet (.03 km) of the 0.4 mile (0.6 km) mark, proceed to the next stop and
note "no stop-hazardous" 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 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 and data recollected on another evening.

REPORTING

Immediately after running your route, submit 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. Survey results should also be entered via the Internet at https://migbirdapps.fws.gov/woodcock/ and survey forms must be
received at the Laurel office no later than the day following your state’s survey date window. Fax your form if necessary to (301) 497-5871 to meet this
cut off date, and then mail the original form.

Your cooperation in this important survey is greatly appreciated. You can view and print the Singing-ground Survey results online at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/ (click
on the “Publications and Reports” link) every July. You can also query and download Woodcock SGS route level data at https://migbirdapps.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 1.67 hours to complete the survey, including time to read the instructions and
map, drive to and from the survey route, gather data at survey stops, and complete and review the survey form. Comments on this form should be mailed to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ms 224ARLSQ,
1849
C Street,
N.W.
Washington,
D.C.DC
20240.
2040-PDM,
1849
C Street,
NW,
Washington,
202540.