Woodcock feeding habits as related to summer field usage in central Maine

In 1968 and 1969, 60 American woodcock (Philohela minor) were collected before and after alighting on summer fields in central Maine. A comparison of stomach contents from these birds showed that woodcock fed prior to entering fields at dusk. No evidence was found to indicate that any substantial amount of food was eaten by birds remaining on fields throughout the night. In 1968, the availability and abundance of known woodcock foods were measured in 30 soil samples from one field. Few woodcock foods were found in samples located randomly and at flush sites, thus providing no evidence that birds selected sites where soil invertebrates were concentrated.