Nīca area, South Kurzeme Municipality, 23-Nov-2024. Atis Ļahs.
In Latvia, a common and widespread breeder and passage migrant. A small number regularly winter, mainly in the western part and generally after warm November and December months. K. Grigulis (1964) also wrote about wintering several decades ago, noting that there have been cases when woodcocks overwintered, staying in wind-sheltered gullies near unfrozen springs. However, there are not many specific winter observations, as woodcocks are difficult to notice. Judging by the number of observations, most stayed to winter in 2000–2001, when December was unusually warm. A similar situation occurred in the winters of 2006–2007 and 2017–2018. It is believed that the wintering woodcocks are not local Latvian breeders but most likely migrants from Russia.
Length: 33–35 cm, wingspan: 56–60 cm (Snow, Perrins 1998).
Updated: 13.01.2026