Learning more about breeding woodcock populations in Northern Ireland

We know very little about breeding woodcock in Northern Ireland. Given that the British woodcock populations are declining, it is important to understand if the population resident in Northern Ireland is experiencing a similar trend.

BASC commissioned Erne Environmental Ltd to manage a network of volunteers to provide sufficient data to the GWCT/BTO National Breeding Woodcock Survey in 2023. This was to ensure that a baseline point could be established and Northern Ireland was represented in the survey.

Data was provided from 48 randomised site in Norther Ireland and the population estimated currently at 937 males.

The full study can be accessed under: Heward, C.J., Conway, G.J., Hoodless, A.N., Norfolk, D., & Aebischer, N. J. (2024). Population and distribution change of Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola breeding in the UK: results of the 2023 Breeding Woodcock Survey. Bird Study, last accessed 11th October 2024.