2023

The GWCT’S Woodcock Watch project, which ran from 2012-2020, used state-of-the-art satellite tracking technology to unveil the secrets of woodcock migration.

This spring, hundreds of volunteers across the UK donned their headtorches and insect-repellent to take part in our national census of breeding woodcock. Each entrusted with a specially selected woodland site to survey, their count data provide a valuable health-check for the UK’s breeding population.

Owen Williams, wildlife artist and GWCT Wales Chair and Trustee, has received a prestigious conservation award for his work relating to woodcock conservation.

With Breeding Woodcock Survey visits due to start from the 1st May, the GWCT Wetlands placement student, Anna Thompson, reflects on her first ‘recce’ roding count.

Over 1200 survey sites across the UK have been allocated to volunteer surveyors, but coverage remains low in south-west Scotland and central Wales. 

“Natural England will be making recommendations based on the science” was the verdict of Environment Minister Trudy Harrison as she closed the petitions committee debate on woodcock yesterday (Monday 27 February). 

As you may already be aware, 2023 is an important year for woodcock research. For the third time since its inception in 2003, GWCT and BTO are running the national Breeding Woodcock Survey to provide a snapshot of our resident woodcock population’s size and status. 

The GWCT advises all those who wish to shoot woodcock to exercise particular care and improve their knowledge of local populations, thus enabling the shoot to minimise their impact on resident birds.

The following management recommendations are made based on our experience of the past fifty years and the body of research we have carried out at the GWCT.

GWCT research has helped increase our knowledge of woodcock in recent
decades, but that alone does not help support the species. Applying this understanding to develop conservation guidelines is our best chance
of reversing the downward trend in breeding woodcock numbers.