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       #Post#: 836--------------------------------------------------
       BTO/GWCT Woodcock Survey
   DIR By: semiauto
       Date: November 25, 2012, 4:21 am
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       I though this was interestin readin some of you guys would like.
  HTML http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/woodcock-survey
       BTO/GWCT Woodcock Survey
       This is an on-line survey - surveyors will be able to select
       their sites and enter data once the on-line systems are up and
       running in early 2013.
       Woodcock is the only species of wading bird in Britain and
       Ireland that is adapted to breed woodland, both broad-leaved and
       coniferous. Its plumage is superbly camouflaged to blend in with
       dead leaf litter and ground vegetation, where it may roost or
       make its nest; remaining motionless unless approached at very
       close quarters.
       The breeding distribution covers much of Britain and Ireland,
       however, a considerable reduction in range has been indicated by
       the 2007-11 Breeding Atlas, since the 1968-72 Breeding Atlas
       (Sharrock 1976). It has been Amber listed as a bird of
       conservation concern as part of a wider breeding population
       decline in Europe.
       The nocturnal habits and cryptic nature of this species makes it
       difficult to monitor the breeding population using our
       traditional survey methods, such as the Breeding Bird Survey
       (BBS). However, a special survey method has been devised (during
       the Woodcock Survey 2003, PDF), which uses the counts of the
       territorial roding flights, undertaken by males at dusk and
       dawn, to estimate the number of individual males present.
       The first breeding Woodcock Survey was undertaken in 2003 (PDF)
       estimated a breeding population of 78,000 males in Britain. Thus
       providing a baseline against which to assess future population
       change. During winter, it is estimated that up to 1.5 million
       individuals may be present in Britain and Ireland; mostly
       originating from northern Europe and western Russia.
       The results of the 2013 Survey, run by BTO and GWCT, will be
       crucial in determining the extent of changes to the breeding
       population size and distribution.
       #Post#: 856--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BTO/GWCT Woodcock Survey
   DIR By: springerman
       Date: November 25, 2012, 10:13 am
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       Its probably one of those Qualitative studies the upshot of
       which will be, band woodcock hunting, much like the so called
       Grouse and Irish Hare studies that are methodologically flawed
       and used specifically to push through draconian legislation!!
       #Post#: 857--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BTO/GWCT Woodcock Survey
   DIR By: semiauto
       Date: November 25, 2012, 10:28 am
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       probably wrote by someone who's never had a pair of wellies on
       too !
       #Post#: 859--------------------------------------------------
       Re: BTO/GWCT Woodcock Survey
   DIR By: springerman
       Date: November 25, 2012, 10:36 am
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       Surveys and studies always start alarm bells ringing, i always
       stay clear!
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