Breeding biology of the Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola L.) in the Carpathian Basin

Abstract

Based on 356 observations of Woodcock nestings published in the Hungarian hunting and ornithological literature between 1846 and 2019, which also includes published and unpublished personal observations, it can be stated that the nesting dates of Woodcock in Hungary are scattered over a large interval. 47.3% of all nestings registered with exact dates (n=93) happen in April. The second peak of breeding in June does not stand out significantly. Based on the data of the clutches (n=65) reported with known number of eggs, as well as the clutches (n=14) – probably with full number of eggs – found in the Hungarian egg collections, the average number of eggs per clutch was 3.8. Based on the observational data of the Woodcock families (n=36) observed during the study period, the number of chicks per hen was 3.6, of which the hens were able to raise an average of 2.8 chicks up to a flying age.

Additional data to the historical breeding of the Eurasian Woodcock in the Carpathian Basin

“…It appears that proportionally far fewer nests were found in the second half of May than in the first half of the month or before. This finding is in line with the results of previous studies (Haraszthy 2019, Bende & László 2020b, Bende 2021.…”

“…Haraszthy (2019) reported the earliest complete brood from 1-10 March (n = 1). However, these were extremely rare, consistent with the results obtained by Haraszthy (2019) and Bende and László (2020b). Nesting was prolonged in the Carpathian Basin, with a peak in April and May, and there was no difference in this between the two regions with the most data.…”

“…Broods after early June until August are likely to be second broods. Bende and László (2020b), based on the ornithological and hunting literature between 1846 and 2019, also found that the breeding of the species is prolonged, but the main period is April -May. Based on the available data, they could not clearly confirm the second breeding either.…”

A vadbiológiai-vadgazdálkodási tudományok története Magyarországon

“…Az ismert tojásszámmal közölt fészekaljak adatai, továbbá a magyarországi tojásgyűjteményekben fellelhető -valószínűsíthetően teljes tojásszámú -fészekaljak alapján az átlagos fészekaljankénti tojásszám 3,8 volt. A vizsgált időszakban megfigyelt szalonkacsaládok adatai alapján az egy tojóra jutó csibék száma 3,6 példány volt, amiből a tojók átlagosan 2,8 csibét tudtak felnevelni röpképes korig (Bende 2021, Bende és László 2021.…”