GWCT News Blog

The latest survey of the UK’s resident Woodcock population has shown that in the past ten years the Scottish population has dropped from around 30,000 birds in 2013, to just over 20,000 in 2023.

Chris Heward reports on a fantastic response to the 2023 Breeding Woodcock Survey and despite the conclusions not being straightforward, the results will help inform future woodcock conservation and policy.

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.