VERKADE H (2009) Influx of Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola during a cold-spell in January 2009. LIMOSA 82 (1): 26-28.

In January 2009, a remarkable number of Eurasian Woodcock was observed on the inner dune slope in an area near Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland. During a walk on 11 January, 73 individualswere flushed on a transect of only 500m(Tab. 1). The largest flock consisted of 12 individuals. This promted me to visit a nearby estate of 28 ha, where again large numbers of Woodcock (35) were counted. During visits to both sites on 1 January, 18 January and 25 January much fewer or even no birds were counted. The concentration of Woodcock on 11 January coincided with the most severe cold-spell in Central Europe since January 1997. In The Netherlands the cold period lasted until 11 January, with lowest temperatures and snowcover in the southeastern part of the country and mildest conditions along the North Sea coast. The observations suggest a massive cold rush of Woodcock in the coastal dunes of Noord- en Zuid- Holland in the beginning of January, perhaps involving several 1000 individuals. Quickly after the cold-spell, the birds probably redistributed themselves and returned to their usual inconspicuous behaviour. Observations in the past decades indicate that cold rushes in Woodcock are not unusual, but so far large numbers as reported here had not been recorded. It is hypothesized that the long series of mild winter might have resulted in a more northward or eastward winter distribution. Hence, larger numbers of Woodcock are forced to move during short and heavy cold-spells as recorded in January 2009.

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