Aim

We aim to buy a satellite tag and fit it to a woodcock so we can monitor its epic migration which could take it on a 10,000km journey to Russia and back. Monitoring woodcock in this way will help us to answer some important questions as we attempt to promote woodcock conservation in the UK.

Why do we need to do our research on woodcock?

Among some conservationists, the conservation status of woodcock is causing concern. In the UK we have a traffic light system for birds. Birds in the red category are in serious decline, while birds in the green category are of no concern. Woodcock are amber listed.

There has been a reported 86% decline in numbers between 1970 and 2007 and a 31% decline between 1968 and 1991. We expect to see greater declines in range when the next Bird Atlas is published in late 2013.

What research do we need to do? We need to better understand the conservation status of woodcock and have a better estimate of their distribution and abundance.

Woodcock Watch - Our Satellite Tagging Project

Our satellite tracking project forms a major part of our research on woodcock. The aim of using satellite transmitters is to obtain information on the routes taken between British wintering sites and foreign breeding grounds by migrant woodcock.

Use of satellite transmitters is intended to provide the following information:

• Routes taken between British wintering areas and continental breeding grounds in spring and routes back to wintering areas the following autumn.
• Details of the timing of departure from different breeding grounds and the total time taken to complete the autumn and spring migrations, including any differences between adults and juveniles.
• Details of stop-over locations and durations.
• Fidelity of individual birds to particular migration routes and winter sites. 

How you can help

We are currently monitoring 17 woodcock with satellite tags but need to monitor more to gather vital data. £3,500 will cover the cost of buying, fitting a satellite tag and monitoring a woodcock on its epic migration.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 31st December 2013