RGS has two different woodcock tracking venues. The oldest and the one initiated by RGS is a hunter input/observation mapping system that is conducted each fall. Hunters report what they believe to be the woodcock density at locations they have hunted. It allows them to post a location on the map and assign a value for the woodcock density at that location, i.e., heavy, moderate, low. It is dependent on an observers perception of woodcock abundance.
The second mapping system reported on the RGS site was initiated by woodcock researchers with the data merely presented on the site. About 3 years ago gps transmitters were developed that are small enough to be carried by a woodcock in flight. If my memory serves they are about 4 grams. This enabled researchers to answer questions about woodcock migration that have previously been based on anecdotal data. Since the inception and proof of concept the gps position data has been reported for both the spring and fall migration. More birds have been equipped with transmitters each year but the number is still small and is likely not statistically significant. However, it does provide some significant insight into the movement of the "Little Russet Fellows".
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