SURVIVAL RATES AND MOVEMENTS OF BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL WOODCOCK SCOLOPAX-RUSTICOLA IN THE BRITISH-ISLES

The ring recoveries of Woodcock ringed in the British Isles were analysed with those ringed abroad and recovered in the British Isles during the period 1909-1990. The annual adult survival rate for British-ringed Woodcock was estimated as 58 +/- 2% (+/- se) and first-year survival was estimated as 47 +/- 2% (+/- se). These survival rates require an annual production of 1.8 fledged chicks per adult female to maintain a stable population. Most British-ringed Woodcock exhibit fidelity to the natal area in winter and subsequent breeding seasons, although in winter c. 13% move to Ireland and c. 4% to mainland Europe. These movements were not associated with cold weather and it is probable that a small component of the British Woodcock population is truly migratory. Continental Woodcock visiting Britain originate from Finland and, to a laser extent, from Sweden and Norway. They first arrive in October and move rapidly south-west so that the proportion of foreign-ringed to British-ringed birds in winter is highest in southern England and Wales. Some Continental Woodcock remain in Britain until mid-April but there is no evidence that any stay to breed. The majority of Woodcock shot in Britain are foreign-bred birds.