UK Wildlife

Woodcock Nocturnal Woodland Wader

The woodcock is a cryptic nocturnal wader of damp woodland, famous for the males' 'roding' display flights at dusk, with winter visitors from Scandinavia joining resident UK birds.

Key Facts

Woodcock have eyes positioned to give 360-degree vision including above
UK breeding population estimated at 55,000 males, though difficult to census accurately
Famous for camouflage so perfect that birds can be almost stepped on before flushing
Males perform 'roding' display flights at dawn and dusk in spring over woodland
Large influx of Scandinavian birds in autumn swells UK numbers dramatically

Welfare Considerations

Woodcock declines relate to changes in woodland management reducing the damp, open woodland structure they need for breeding. Shooting pressure on winter migrants is a concern, particularly as breeding populations decline. Sustainable shooting management is contentious.

What You Can Do

Support woodland management that creates damp, open structure suitable for woodcock
Engage with debates about woodcock shooting sustainability as breeding populations decline
Record roding woodcock through the BTO woodcock survey to contribute to monitoring