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The
Woodcock literally has eyes on the back of it's head. Its 360 degree vision
presumably allows for improved detection of predators. It may need it too,
because each year, hunters in Quebec take over 30,000 Woodcocks. Considering
that much of the prime Woodcock habitat is being lost to agricultural and
urban development, Woodcock habitat improvement is sorely needed in Quebec.
Woodcocks return to Quebec from their wintering grounds in the southeastern
United States in March; earlier than most other migratory bird species.
Although they inhabit second-growth forests mixed with open fields (commonly
found in Southern Quebec) this species has rigid habitat requirements. In
fact, successful breeding depends on a mind-boggling range of habitats:
singing grounds, day cover, nesting cover, rearing habitat, roosting habitat,
and autumn habitat. It seems that the northern distribution of the Woodcock
is tied to that of its staple prey item, earthworms. Northern soils contain
few earthworms and, therefore, cannot support Woodcocks, while the rich
soils of Southern Quebec may contain 400-600 earthworms/m.sq. - apparently
enough to support a Woodcock population. |
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