Kent Ornithological Society 
Although almost 1.5 million Woodcock visit Britain to over-winter, the resident population is believed to stand at a much lower figure of approximately 55,000 males. Results from the BTO national Woodcock survey in 2003 and 2013 showed a population decline of 29%, prompting the Woodcock to be added to the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List in 2015. The species is also considered to have a 'Vulnerable' breeding population at the GB scale based on the recently published IUCN assessment for birds.
You can take part by selecting an area in Kent to survey using the interactive map on the BTO project home page. : https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/woodcock-survey
All you need to do is register on the BTO website and sign up for the project.
What does the survey involve?
- A total of 4 visits to your selected survey area
- APRIL: one daytimeRECCE to establish the best place to locate the count point*
- MAY TO JUNE: three eveningSURVEY visits (75 minutes in total: 15 mins before sunset and 60 mins after sunset), at least one week apart
- The survey involves counting ‘roding’ male Woodcocks (male Woodcocks will fly on a regular circuit in the evening as a territorial display, making sharp flight calls and grunts – see below links for more information on roding behaviour)
* existing counters can change their count point if tree growth impairs visibility of the survey area. You can choose a different location for observations within the square (or even up to 400m outside the square if required)
- NOTE – if no Woodcock are recorded on both of the first 2 dusk survey visits, there is no need to carry out the third survey.
- NOTE – you may like to continue to count the same area annually, although there’s no obligation to do this.
What do I need to know?
It’s good to familiarise yourself with the roding behaviour and call of the Woodcock before your survey visits. Please follow the link to view a short video by GWCT to get a better idea of what the survey involves.
Male Woodcock perform a flight display at dawn and dusk, grunting and whistling whilst flying over an area of woodland, attracting the attention of females, like an aerial lekking system. (Follow this link to hear a typical roding Woodcock flight call: https://xeno-canto.org/48091).
What impact will this survey have?
The 2023 survey will be key to providing the best possible assessment of the breeding population status of the Woodcock in the UK as well as further helping to understand the causes of the population decline. This data will help to inform conservation projects and habitat management for this species in the future.
Why are their numbers in decline?
There are several possible contributing factors to the decline in the woodcock resident population. Climate change and habitat loss are two major key factors, causing a decline in the range of this species. Increased temperatures has resulted in previously wet or damp wooded areas drying out impacting the abundance and availability of the woodcock’s diet. In addition to this their preference for mixed or deciduous woodlands with dense understory could mean that there is less suitable breeding habitat available to successfully lay and rear broods.
If you have any questions or would like more information please email the BTO Woodcock Regional Organiser, Heather Mathieson. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Woodcock trivia:
- The Woodcock has the brightest feather in existence. Yet to be published research led by Jamie Dunning of Imperial College has discovered that the white tail feathers of the woodcock reflect around 55% of light.
- The similar arrival time in the UK of migratory Woodcock and Goldcrests resulted in the two species being associated in bird folklore. It was thought that the tiny Goldcrest lacked the stamina to fly unaided across the North Sea, and so would hitch a lift on the back of the Woodcock. The Goldcrest was often known as the ‘Woodcock Pilot’.
- The first full moon in November is often known as the ‘Woodcock Moon’, as this coincides with the massive influx of migratory woodcock arriving in the UK from Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic States.
- The woodcock’s delicate pin feathers (found on the leading edge of the bird’s wing) was often used by Victorian artists when painting miniatures.
Further Information:
BTO WOODCOCK species focus: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/species-focus/woodcock
GWCT woodcock satellite tagging project http://www.woodcockwatch.com/
Heward,C.,Hoodless,A., Conway G., Aebischer N., Gillings, S., Fuller, R.J. 2015. Current status and recent trend of the Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola as a breeding bird in Britain. Bird Study 62(4) 535-551 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00063657.2015.1092497
BTO latest results: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/annual_breeding_woodcock_survey_2003_to_2022_final.pdf