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Watch out for woodcock and wigeon

Watch out for woodcock and wigeon

BASC members are being asked to use a revolutionary online mapping system to record the arrival of migratory species such as woodcock and wigeon.

The information will help to build up a valuable picture of different species and the environment.

Woodcock are wading birds which typically rest in woodland during the day and fly out to feed at night.  The UK resident breeding population is greatly increased in winter by the arrival of migratory birds from Europe and Russia.

Most wigeon visit the UK in winter from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia.  The date and location of their arrival in the UK help us understand why their migration has been triggered from their breeding grounds.

BASC members are being asked to input information recording arrivals and sightings via an online mapping tool.

In just over two years since its launch, more than 1,400 areas of land used for shooting have been signed up to BASC’s Green Shoots Mapping programme, which records species and habitats of national importance found on land managed for shooting.

BASC will use the information to develop projects which contribute to national and international conservation goals and to gain insight into the health of quarry populations and other wildlife across the UK.

Ian Danby, BASC’s head of biodiversity projects, said: “We are calling for your sightings of woodcock and wigeon to build upon the excellent information we received last year.  Using Green Shoots Mapping to register this information is an easy way to help fill gaps in information provided by other national reporting schemes. By taking part, you will be helping shooting’s contribution to conservation.”

People can see a map of woodcock arrivals here: http://basc.org.uk/conservation/green-shoots/green-shoots-mapping/record-your-first-wintering-birds/

For more information on the Green Shoots Mapping programme, contact Ian Danby on 01244 573024 ian.danby@basc.org.uk or visit http://basc.org.uk/conservation/green-shoots/green-shoots-mapping/


For more information contact the BASC press office on 01244 573052