Wood Snipe is globally Vulnerable and one of the least known wader species that breeds in subalpine and alpine meadows between 3,650–4,520 m. It is one of the most difficult wader species to study due to its elusive nature and geographic challenges. The breeding biology of the Wood Snipe remains poorly understood among ornithologists and conservation managers with no first-hand record of nesting sites to date. In 2019, we have discovered one of the best sites of Wood Snipe habitat in the Lauribina-Buddha area on the trekking route to Gosainkunda. However, our survey focuses on population estimation along with the general ecology of the species. Understanding the breeding biology of these species is essential to allow the formulation of effective conservation and management plans for both the bird and its habitat. Moreover, the findings of this study will be the foundation for future monitoring and advanced research like radio or satellite telemetry to study migration patterns in future. Similarly, the species breed in the extreme climate so this study could open the platform to study Wood Snipe as a climate change indicator species.

Therefore, taking background information and experience from an earlier study, the proposed project is designed to document:

a) document the courtship display of Wood Snipe;

b) estimate breeding density and identify key breeding sites;

c) nesting ecology of the species and

d) relationship between Wood Snipe and grazing system.