Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Woodcock is one of Britain's most extraordinary birds — a wader that has moved entirely into woodland. It's perfectly camouflaged against the leaf litter floor and will sit so tight that you can nearly tread on it. Eyes positioned to give 360-degree vision — it can see behind its own head. In winter they flood in from mainland Europe to Britain's mild woodlands. The Formby pinewoods are a reliable winter site. In spring, the 'roding' display flight — a slow, bat-like patrol above treetops at dusk — is one of the countryside's great spectacles.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Habitat | Coniferous woodland · Mixed woodland · Woodland edge |
| Diet | Earthworms — probes into soft ground with long, flexible-tipped bill |
| UK population | Around 55,000 breeding males; winter numbers boosted significantly by continental birds — red-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Regular winter visitor to the pinewoods; occasional roding birds at dusk in spring |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Formby and Ainsdale pinewoods in winter — sit tight on the ground. Roding occurs above pinewoods at dusk in early spring.
Identification
Robust, large-headed wader with very long bill. Dead-leaf brown camouflage. Large eyes positioned far back and up on the head. Short tail. In flight, looks round-winged and bat-like at dusk.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the Formby pinewoods in December–January and look carefully at the ground — Woodcock sit absolutely still in dead leaves. For roding, stand at the edge of the pinewoods at dusk in April and look above the treetops.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Woodcock roding?
Roding is the display flight of male Woodcocks in spring. Males fly slow circuits over woodland at dusk and just before dawn, calling with a combination of low 'orr-orr-orr' grunts and a high 'tswick' squeal. Each circuit covers a territory of up to 200 hectares. Stand at a woodland edge at dusk in April–May and look for the bat-like silhouette crossing the sky.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.