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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GENERAL BIRDING DISCUSSION -> Woodcock
Post Info TOPIC: Woodcock
Steve Suttill


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RE: Woodcock
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Thanks for posting the link, David.

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"...furious

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Steve "Make your birdwatching count!"
David Walsh


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Recently updated GWCT advice on Woodcock shooting

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?



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Rob Thorpe


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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

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Simon Johnson


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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

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Rob Thorpe


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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

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Simon Johnson


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Also signtings from

Dunham Massey, Ringley and Fletcher Moss today too

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Nick Isherwood


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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.

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Nick Isherwood


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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.


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Rob Thorpe


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Woodcock reported at 3 different locations today already:
Abram Flashes
Bickershaw Rucks
Highfield Moss

unusual(?)

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Rob Thorpe


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probably just a coincidence... Just seemed odd for three five 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

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Ian Campbell


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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

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