Summer Studies 
Following up investigation of summer evening flights reported in the 
1953 report, observations were begun July 1, 1954. Flights similar to 
those described last year took place, and nets were set up in the same 1/3 
acre field used a year ago. As of October 20, 6h woodcocks were captured, 
Most were taken in the nets while some were trapped in blind traps placed 
in the bottom of two adjoining gravel pits. 
Techniques.--Four or five Japanese mist nets, approximately 30 feet 
long and 12 feet high were set at strategic places on the periphery of 
the opening. The locations were changed often in accordance with that 
route of approach to the field used by most of the birds, The nets must 
be set tight. Often birds can be flushed into them after lighting. As 
during the last year, only about one out of three birds hitting the nets 
became entangled. 
Possible reasons for flights.--At least one possible clue was dis- 
covered during the summer which might partially explain the attraction of 
this area for woodcocks. The site is a burn about 15 years old. The 
terrain is fairly flat and is now grown up to sprout growth about 20 feet 
high which is predominantly grey birch. Ground cover in the openings is 
largely low blueberry with a scattering of sweet-fern. The ground is 
littered with rotting logs which provide an ideal habitat for quantities 
of ants, 
On July 1, a woodcock was observed at dusk to light in the netting 
field on a flat white-colored rock, and could be seen picking up insects 
which proved to be a small species of ant. Examination with a flashlight 
of other lighting spots invariably revealed a colony of ants. 
Therefore, it is possible these crepuscular flights are at least 
partly dietary in purpose. It may be found that ants afford a valuable 
supplemental diet at this time of year. 
Numbers of birds.--The largest number of birds seen lighting in or 
passing over the field in one evening was 19. More lit in the field in 
July than any other month. The average number of birds counted per 
evening between July 1 and August 10 was 7.7, August 1 to August 25, 3.03 
and August 26 to September 30, 7.3. In September, far fewer birds lit 
in the field. Most were flying over at sufficient height to miss most of 
the nets. Accurate counts were made on only 0 nights throughout the 
summer, Based on these, it is estimated that from July 1 to September 30, 
between 500 and 600 separate observations of woodcocks were made. 
Significance of bandings.-=Thirty-one of the birds were banded and 
the remainder preserved as study specimens. Thirteen birds were banded 
at this site a year ago. Of hl banded birds (including those of 1953) 
there was only one repeat and no returns with the exception of a hen 
caught elsewhere in 1953. One male bird banded on September 15 was found 
dead in a net on October 9, Originally the bird was caught in one of the 
blind traps set in an adjoining gravel pit. 

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