The latest survey of the UK’s resident Eurasian Woodcock population has shown that numbers are still declining overall, albeit at a slower rate than before.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) teamed up in 2023 for the latest Breeding Woodcock Survey to gather up-to-date evidence on the changes to population size and distribution of this elusive bird. Woodcock’s cryptic camouflage and secretive nocturnal behaviour have traditionally made it difficult to survey accurately.

More volunteers than ever contributed, and the results showed some encouraging signs that in parts of England numbers were increasing. In Northern Scotland, however, woodcock population estimates showed a very steep decline of almost half.