BIRDWATCHERS in the Yorkshire Dales are being urged to help halt the decline of one of the area's most iconic woodland dwellers.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is asking birdwatchers to look out for and count woodcocks as part of a survey running to the end of June.

Woodcocks have appeared to be in serious decline in the last few years, and there are now thought to be only around 55,000 breeding males throughout the British Isles.

The birds feed at night or in the evenings on the ground and their unobtrusive plumage makes them difficult to see during the day.

But males conduct a distinctive courtship flight, accompanied by a shrill call, known as ‘roding’ at dawn or dusk.

Dr Andrew Hoodless, Head of Wetland Research at the GWCT, said: “There are likely to be a number of factors contributing to the decline, from changing habitat to increasing predation.

“Ongoing monitoring is essential to help us understand annual fluctuations in numbers and assess the trend. The more volunteers who are willing to help out, the more accurate a picture we will obtain.

"We are asking birdwatchers to help us with this year’s survey by making three counts at dusk of displaying males.”

Woodcocks have stocky bodies, cryptic brown and blackish plumage and long slender bills. Their eyes are located on the sides of their heads, which gives them 360-degree vision.

For full details of how to take part see www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/woodcock-survey.