Renesting by American woodcocks (Scolopax minor) in Maine

The American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) is one of the earliest ground-nesting birds in the northeastern United States. In Maine, nesting begins in early April when temperatures can drop below freezing and significant snowfall can accumulate. Nests are usually in open woods, where eggs are laid on the ground in a shallow depression (Pettingill 1936, Mendall and Aldous 1943, Sheldon 1967). Peak hatching occurs in early May (Dwyer et al. 1982), when temperatures are cool and precipitation is common. Woodcock chicks are dependent on the female for most of their food for at least seven days after hatching (Gregg 1984). During cool, wet weather, chicks require constant brooding by females; prolonged periods of inclement weather may lead to substantial mortality of chicks (Dwyer et al. 1988).