Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola Linnaeus, 1758
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Endangered EN [A3 + C2ai + E], BDA-IV; International: BeC-II, ECS-Spec 3, BD-II, III.
General distribution. A Palearctic species breeding almost throughout Europe and Northern Asia. The southern border of the area in Europe passes through Spain, Italy, Albania, Bulgaria, Northern Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus Mountains. There are isolated habitats in the Himalaya range and Tien Shan [1, 2, 3].
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. A breeding summer visitor and wintering species, until 1950 widely distributed both in the mountains and in the low mountainous and flat forest areas [4, 5, 6, 7]. In the 1950-1985 period there was a considerable decrease of breeding and of the migration numbers. The data about breeding are singular, unconfirmed by evidence [4, 7, 8, 9, 10]. In recent years separate pairs have been breeding in the forest zone of the mountains Rila, Pirin, the Western Rhodopes and the Balkan range [7, 11, 12] and in lower mountains such as Strandzha and Maleshevska [7, 12, 13]. Of the total of 48 habitats known, 17 were confirmed during the last 20 years. Currently, the tendency in the numbers is unknown. Supposed breeding numbers are 200-400 pairs. During migration and wintering it is found throughout the country, but in low numbers.
Habitats. Boreal forests and forests in the moderate zone. It breeds in various forest habitats – deciduous (beech, oak), mixed and coniferous forests, from altitudes of about 400 (Strandzha) to 1800 m. It is found more often in mountainous spruce, spruce-Scotch pine and white fir forests.
Biology. Courting is most active in April and the beginning of May and takes place mainly in the early evening. It builds its nest on the ground on the forest cover. It lays 4 white to dark brown eggs [1, 12]. In danger the female takes the eggs in her beak to another place [14]. It feeds on worms, larvae and adult insects, rarely small fruits [1].
Similar species. The Great Snipe (Gallinago media), the Snipe (Gallinago gallinago).
Negative factors. Excessive hunting. Disturbance by people and predatory animals.
Conservation measures taken. Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act. Included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (1985). A significant part of the breeding places are situated in protected territories (the Pirin Natural Park, the Rila Natural Park, the Strandzha Natural Park, the reserves Chuprene and Mantaritsa).
Conservation measures needed. Discontinuation of forestry activities in the regions of breeding. Carrying out educational campaigns for its preservation. Declaration of the Western Rhodopes and the Western Balkans Natural Parks, which will embrace a large part of the known breeding places. Declaration of a new Protected Territory in the regions of peaks Sveshtnik and Mutorog in Southern Pirin – where appropriate habitats have been preserved.
References. 1. Nankinov et al., 1997; 2. Birdlife International, 2004; 3. Hagemeijer, Blair (Eds), 1997; 4. Boev, 1985; 5. Kuzev, 1928; 6. Petrov, 1950; 7. Nankinov, Dalauchieva, 2002; 8. Nankinov, Dzhuninski,1985; 9. Petrov, 1981; 10. Petrov, 1989; 11. Nikolov, 2004; 12. Stoyanov et al., 2003; 13. Milchev, 1998; 14. Dumanov, 1936.
Authors: Petar Shurulinkov, Ventseslav Delov, Dinyu Kyuchukov, Stoyan Nikolov, Georgi Stoyanov
