Full moon brings woodcock

Woodcock have begun to move as the November full moon approaches. Veteran tagged woodcock Fonthill Abbie II departed her breeding grounds in western Russia under a waning crescent moon on 22 October. She flew a southwesterly course over Lake Ilmen, into Latvia and then on into Lithuania. This will be at least the fifth consecutive year in which Fonthill Abbie II has made the trip

The GWCT’S two remaining tagged Scandinavian woodcock, Holkham and Nellie III, are yet to show any significant seasonal movement.

However, other Scandinavian birds have begun to arrive. Birdwatchers on the Shetland Islands have been reporting sightings of woodcock for the past week, and bands have been passing over Fair Isle. Currently, however, numbers remain small.

The advice on shooting woodcock remains not to shoot them at all before 1 December in order to reduce the risk of shooting members of the UK’S small breeding population.

49% I’d welcome it

11% I’m interested in it

16% Experience matters most

Some woodcock have begun their winter migration to Britain In Germany, hunters have to undertake an exam before they can head out in the field, is this a good idea or unnecessary? 24% Not needed