Bygone birding (4): October woodcock arrivals

Lincolnshire ornithologist John Cordeaux (1831-99) writes:

On the night of October 30 (wind fresh from N.E. and drizzly rain), there was a large arrival of Woodcock on the coast of Holderness and Lincolnshire.

Mr. Bailey informed me of a large flight at Flamborough.

At Spurn, on the morning of the 31st, 60 were obtained, Mr. Clarke says, to his knowledge, and probably many more.

Some were so exhausted as to be knocked down with sticks, and one was caught by a dog.

On the Lincolnshire coast also, between Tetney and Skegness, numbers were shot on the same morning.

It must have been a very bad passage for the birds as they appear to have reached land in a thoroughly exhausted state.

How many failed to do so we shall never know.

Mr. Clarke writes: "A large codfish was caught at Spurn on the 30th, which, when opened, was found to contain an entire Woodcock."