First photographic evidence of Eurasian woodcock (<i>Scolopax rusticola</i> Linnaeus, 1758) from East Sikkim, India

The Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), a cryptic woodland wader, has been documented for the first time in East Sikkim, India, at 2,359 meters in dense temperate forest. This study, part of a long-term monitoring project (2018–2020), utilized camera traps and highlights the species’ preference for moist, undergrowth-rich habitats. Despite its IUCN Least Concern status, threats like habitat fragmentation and agricultural expansion persist. This first record emphasizes East Sikkim’s importance in Himalayan biodiversity and underscores the need for research into the species’ population, ecology, and conservation strategies to address critical knowledge gaps.