Dear Sir,
Adam Vaughan’s recent article Shooting curbs to save endangered woodcock, includes inaccuracies which make it misleading. The woodcock is neither rare nor endangered. The size of the breeding population is on a par with that of the curlew and about twice that of the redshank. In winter, the woodcock is the most numerous wader in the British Isles. It is listed as of ‘least concern’ on the IUCN’s bird status assessment owing to a stable global population.
There is concern about a declining trend in our resident breeding woodcock population, as revealed by GWCT and BTO surveys, and we cannot rule out shooting as a factor in the decline. However, there has been a voluntary shift in shooting practice in recent years and our research suggests that other factors are involved. If we really want to see an increase in our woodcock population, we should manage our woodland better.
We will always follow the science and adapt policy accordingly. GWCT and BTO will be conducting another national breeding woodcock survey in 2023, which will provide an up-to-date population estimate. It would be wise to wait for the results of this survey before considering changes to the close season.
Dr Andrew Hoodless
Director of Research, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust