Dr. Dermot Fitzgerald, Chairman National Woodcock Associastion of Ireland
Presentation to Dr. Dermot Fitzgerald to mark his retirement from his medical practice
This association has been formed, with the intention of accumulating knowledge, and assisting financially, projects which will expand our understanding of this game bird which visits in Winter in great numbers and breeds here to a small degree.
If you wish to express an interest and possibly become a member please contact me at my home phone or mobile 00353 - 87 6837569 for further details.
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Dr. Dermot Fitzgerald, Chairman National Woodcock Associastion of Ireland |
Presentation to Dr. Dermot Fitzgerald to mark his retirement from his medical practice |
Research has indicated that the highest percentage ratio of young to old birds in Ireland is 40% due to the fact that most young birds stop off in the south of England and remain there through the season.
The season 03/04, has indicated that the percentage of young to old birds was 37% which would possibly lead you to believe that woodcock are reproducing very well and not as we are being led to believe in serious danger of decline, by those who would have this super game bird removed from our quarry list.
The woodcock wing survey is ongoing and deserves support from the shooting fraternity, because it is through such research that we will produce the actual evidence to combat those who would wish see the demise of our sport.
The preliminary results of the 2004/2005 woodcock wing survey would suggest that a very high ratio of young birds to old birds ( old birds are taken as birds that are at least two seasons old ) the results are at the moment suggesting that the ratio is as high as 50%+.
This would indicate a very healthy breeding woodcock population of those birds that come to us or at least they had a very good breeding season in the early part of 2004.
All surveys that assist our scientific research, to counter the claims that woodcock are becoming a threatened migratory species, and thereby removing them from the quarry list must be supported.
You should continue to maintain your support or start to support in what ever way you can any research that maintains those migratory bird species on the quarry list.
Join the National WOODCOCK association of Ireland and help continue your sport into the future.
I have just received information based on the woodcock wing survey, ratio of juvenile to adult birds for the season 04/05 was the highest recorded since the survey began fourteen years ago, an amazing 50.15%.
Congratulations to
Martin Cole from Co Leitrim on his first left and right and
Chris ODowd from Co Sligo on his third left and right in three years.
Adults and juveniles at a glance
The following illustration which is taken from a French publication and it shows the difference in the development of the wing feathers on juvenile and adult woodcock.
On the juvenile birds the outer primary feather shows a straight edge on the indented pattern to the light outer edge colour of the feather, while the adult bird shows only the indented pattern.
Try and use this method to identify your woodcock.