Woodcock Sightings

[Ferret]

Thanks for the link Hedge Witch very interesting, don’t try this in the UK though as the European species doesn’t sit around going ‘peet’ but instead fly’s threw the woods going ‘wart wart wart wart pissp’ (at least that’s what Collins Bird Guide says), coco will be just as welcome afterwards though.

Ferret

[Hedge Witch]

Thanks Ferret, I wasn't sure if the European species would be that trusting If only

[The Woodman]

Isn't "wart wart wart wart pissp" a good description of their voices during roding?

Saw 6-8 in woodland in the Lune valley near Kirkby Lonsdale last Saturday.

[Pam_M]

I saw my first (lifer) Woodcock at Titchwell RSPB 1st November and 1 the next day at Holkham Pines. A friend flushed one whilst on a local walk in my area on Tuesday of this week.

[kiltoncomp]

used to see these in Clumber park frequently a few years ago, but not seen any for some years now,

we did have one in the garden for a few minutes several years ago, a bit unusual , as we are in the town!(or perhaps not??)

Brian.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Pam_M

I saw my first (lifer) Woodcock at Titchwell RSPB 1st November and 1 the next day at Holkham Pines. A friend flushed one whilst on a local walk in my area on Tuesday of this week.

Though I've seen quite a few roding Woodcock + have inadvertently flushed some, my best views have been at Titchwell where birds are sometimes feeding just a couple of metres away from the path under brambles,etc. Even so close they are easy to overlook with their cryptic camouflage!

[Pam_M]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Though I've seen quite a few roding Woodcock + have inadvertently flushed some, my best views have been at Titchwell where birds are sometimes feeding just a couple of metres away from the path under brambles,etc. Even so close they are easy to overlook with their cryptic camouflage!

The one I saw at Titchwell must have been feeding close to the path...made us jump a bit I can tell you!

[jenny57]

Hi, just thought I'd add my sighting- the reason why I joined WAB today. Seen in my urban garden yesterday morning in Sussex no idea what it was until a good search of our RSPB bird book and binoculars confirmed it was a woodcock. Was feeding under trees and crossing the lawn and garden for over half an hour.
I'm feeling very privileged as last week while in Cheshire a heron flew across my dad's back garden and landed on his neighbours' lawn.

[JB9302]

Not seen one for a while but a member over on talkphotography has put up a good photo of one in his garden this wk , think it was Portsmouth.

[Picidae]

Congratulations Jenny and what an entrance!

Woodcock can be seen in a fairly diverse range of habitat in the winter when they move away from their breeding grounds. Not too unusual to see them at the sides of roads, flying over towns etc when they're on the move.

Re: the Titchwell birds - that must have been the one of the ones I saw from the path on the way to the carpark last time I was up there (feb/march 08) ... hung around for some time I believe in exactly the same spot but hard to see even from a few metres away!

Jenny: Best place for Woodcock in Sussex and to see the males roding is Pulborough Brooks RSPB in the pine woods that back onto reserve. Find a clearing one early summer evening (end of May/early June would be the best time) just as it gets dusk and you'll see them flying at treetop level over the woods. Also, Ashdown forest near the Old Lodge or Isle of Thorns. You'll probably hear Nightjar churring too in either of these places! (take some Gnat repelant if you go!)

Roding Woodcock can also be see at dawn btw