Walking around the farm at dusk yesterday and the dog put up a woodcock .

I wonder if it is going to be a good year for them. Never seen one this early before. I wonder if it was a resident.

Last monday when we were hunting hairs, i saw 2 woodcock flying in the woods near Aalter (Flanders);
so they are already in Belgium too.

Had a similar conversation with a mate the other day...

We saw a couple out on fields where the cows had been grazing on my shoot. That was while out lamping one night, but we didn't see any on last weeks shoot day. The ground is ike rock still so a bit of rain will be needed to hold them on mine this year.

FB

Flushed one last evening, first I've seen this Autumn; leaves are dropping in earnest, sloe gin making, first frosts, clocks gone back, pheasants looking resplendent, Nov.1st. coming up.
A'int nature wonderful?

Had first rough shoot on hallowene day. Saw four woodcock flushed, ate one for lunch yesterday!

Flushed Three on saturday on our second shoot day. The first managed to evade SEVEN shots!!! Needless to say neither of the other two were bagged. Stats finished at 132 for 22 Pheasants....

Looking forward to being on the Shooting side of the line next time...

FB

not the uk, but we have woodcock here. they are native of course. But urban expansion has destroyed most of our woodcock's habitat. They are becoming absolutely impossible to find and hunt. I haven't shot one in five years. So cheers if you are seeing the whirly bird.