observations had not revealed further performances as late as September 5. 
The evidence suggested this was a crepuscular movement taking place at 
dusk and possibly dawn and not a migration. Dawn observations recorded 
the erratic return of many birds from east to west. Their dawn flights 
were not as directional and heavy as the evening flights. 
Explanations for this flight are at present strictly speculative. 
One: bird had a stomach filled with the larva of a species of beetle. 
However, since the lighting ground was very dry and hard it seems doubtful 
the flight was for dietary reasons. Many birds left excellent feeding 
areas to go to the burn. There were little piles of grit among the 
bushes, but grit is available in quantity on all the road 
It is possible that such behavior may be part of the developmental 
process of young birds before the late summer moult takes place. 
From a management point of view, the significance of this phenomenon 
must await further investigation. Several questions are posed by the 
observation. Is this performance carried on by woodcocks in other areas? 
What is the ecological significance of the cover used as a lighting area? 
Is such a cover an important ingredient of woodcock summer habitat? 
Other Summer Bandings 
In addition to the captures of the evening flight birds, approxi-~ 
mately 12 captures were made in funnel traps set primarily for grouse. 
Two birds were recaptured in the same trap over an interval of several 
weeks suggesting these individuals had remained in the same location the 
greater part of the summer, 
39 
