Almost as rare as hens teeth

[FUDGEY]

In over 35 years birding I have never seen a Woodcock in open ground in daylight hours let alone a pair. Poor things must be starving, glad the thaw is coming.

[Deb London]

Wow, you are having a bit of luck at the moment!

Lovely birds. I want to find one.

[violetbakes]

I have never seen them in open fields either, this cold weather is really bringing the birds out of their normal hiding places.

[aeshna5]

Great photo Fudgey + good luck for you. I was fortunate to see one like this at the beginning of the year when I'd taken a party to Holkham + was sitting in the field.

[Wild-Woman]

My daughter in-law described what I am certain now was a woodcock in their garden on Christmas eve. She has never seen one before. Today in their garden when we visited they had redwing, fieldfare (just one), blackbirds, mistle thrushes and song thrushes. They have many berried bushes that they were all feasting on...as for the woodcock not there but could have been hiding in the field behind.

[seamusagleann]

last year,when darkness fell here at about 3-45pm ,i would spend the last hour or so at the bothy .most times i'd drive home in total darkness and watch 4 or 5 of them in the headlights of the van .

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Wow, you are having a bit of luck at the moment!

I don't think it is all luck - I think Fudgey spends a lot of time in the field so gets to see plenty.

Great photo!

[Deb London]

Today we were up before dawn, travelled over 20 miles to try and find them 'locally' in what we believe is one of the best spots to see them for miles. We had no luck, but it wasn't for want of trying.

[counterlady]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

In over 35 years birding I have never seen a Woodcock in open ground in daylight hours let alone a pair. Poor things must be starving, glad the thaw is coming.

I am absolutely convinced I have just watch one of these in my back garden for the last half hour. Took some photos but cant upload them they say the pics are too big. I am amazed I have never seen one of these before. The snow is melting and it probably means the worms are coming to the top. All it kept doing was sticking its beak into the ground and pulling out worms it was fasinating :-) I live on a main road yes I have a big back garden but I would never have thought you'd see this kind of bird round here :-)

[counterlady]

ok heres a couple of pictures not very good im affraid might help someone identify the bird. Its stil in my garden as we speak!!!