As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Help track one of UK’s most elusive birds

Bird watchers across Lancashire are being asked to play a vital role in the conservation of one of Britain’s most secretive birds, the woodcock.

IN DECLINE: The woodcockWhile the bird has been on the decline in recent years, the North of England remains a stronghold for the mysterious, ground-nesting species. And the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust is asking twitchers to go out at dusk counting woodcock during the summer months, when the males are performing their activity to attract receptive females.
In the last survey roding woodcock were encountered in just under one-third of woodlands surveyed. 
Northern and eastern England (68 per cent) northern Scotland (48 per cent) remained stronghold areas. The lowest occupancy levels were recorded in Wales (13 per cent).
The 2013 national breeding survey estimated that the current breeding woodcock population in Britain is around 69,000 males. 
Go to www.gwct.org.uk for more information.

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