A late April snowstorm that dumped 10+ inches of snow on northern lower Michigan will certainly threaten the survival of recently-hatched woodcock chicks and woodcock nests containing eggs. Very likely it will be necessary for many woodcock hens to remate and renest. Fortunately, this snowstorm, that is, if one can call this snowstorm to be an event having any good fortune, occurred while still early enough in their spring mating, nesting, and brooding season to allow hens to remate and renest, if necessary. This year's woodcock banding season in northern Michigan consequently will extend weeks beyond its normal season and last well into late May and early June. Woodcock hens are very hearty creatures and great mothers. I will not be surprised at all to see some nests and chicks survive this storm!
Check out these photos of the snowstorm taken of our property in Leelanau County in NW Lower Michigan.
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