GWCT is actually supposed to be pretty good when it comes to scientific studies, but that really isn't evident from this guide. Whilst it's good to see the recommendation not to shoot before December, a couple of things bother me:
From my extensive reading on the subject, the number of winter migrants varies much more than the figures quoted.
It says over 95% of birds shot are migrants. There is absolutely no way of knowing whether a bird is migrant or resident, so this figure can be no more than an "educated" guess.
Fortunately, there is currently no Woodcock shooting locally, but I'm not sure how the local breeding populations would be assessed, other than informal interaction with gamekeepers?
Rob Thorpe said
Wed Mar 21 11:51 AM, 2012
Maybe of interest to some: www.woodcockwatch.com
Its a website tracking woodcock migration.
I was alerted to this by @woodcockringer via twitter
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 11:53:46 AM
Simon Johnson said
Sun Mar 18 5:50 AM, 2012
I would agree Rob. I cant recall so many sites recording them all on one day before that rain also put down Wigeon and other ducks across the county today so no reason why it couldnt have done the same with the Woodcock
Rob Thorpe said
Sun Mar 18 4:24 AM, 2012
Maybe Irish or Welsh wintering birds heading back to breeding grounds, but put down in GM due to that overnight/early-morning rain? That's my theory anyway
Simon Johnson said
Sun Mar 18 2:51 AM, 2012
Also signtings from
Dunham Massey, Ringley and Fletcher Moss today too
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Mar 17 11:46 PM, 2012
I know what you mean. The most I've ever seen on Highfield on a morning visit is one but this morning I had three. With spring now finally getting going the birds are probably a bit more active. Just a thought really.
Nick Isherwood said
Sat Mar 17 11:28 PM, 2012
Not unusual for Highfield moss Rob. They're always present over the winter there. Unfortunately I've not had chance to go down at dusk this year to see them roding.
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Mar 17 10:23 PM, 2012
Woodcock reported at 3 different locations today already: Abram Flashes Bickershaw Rucks Highfield Moss
unusual(?)
Rob Thorpe said
Sat Mar 17 4:36 PM, 2012
probably just a coincidence... Just seemed odd for threefive to be reported in the area on one morning, when reports are usually few and far between even with them wintering in the area.
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 17th of March 2012 04:52:03 PM
Ian Campbell said
Thu Apr 30 4:14 PM, 2009
Just to draw peoples attention to Roy Dennis's Highland Website (or something like that), really interesting work being done on Woodcock migration by satellite tracking birds.
Cheers Ian
GWCT is actually supposed to be pretty good when it comes to scientific studies, but that really isn't evident from this guide. Whilst it's good to see the recommendation not to shoot before December, a couple of things bother me:
From my extensive reading on the subject, the number of winter migrants varies much more than the figures quoted.
It says over 95% of birds shot are migrants. There is absolutely no way of knowing whether a bird is migrant or resident, so this figure can be no more than an "educated" guess.
As for the use of the word "sportsman"...
https://www.gwct.org.uk/media/696047/Pocket-woodcock-guide.pdf
Fortunately, there is currently no Woodcock shooting locally, but I'm not sure how the local breeding populations would be assessed, other than informal interaction with gamekeepers?
Its a website tracking woodcock migration.
I was alerted to this by @woodcockringer via twitter
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 11:53:46 AM
Dunham Massey, Ringley and Fletcher Moss today too
Abram Flashes
Bickershaw Rucks
Highfield Moss
unusual(?)
-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Saturday 17th of March 2012 04:52:03 PM