There are several links on GM website, if you use search under my name or Woodcock for Jan 31st 2012.
On that occasion I found a dead Woodcock in Oldham town centre, the bird was in pristine condition and ended up at Manchester museum, and I eventually found out it had a broken neck.
The assumption was made that it had flown at dusk/dark and was disoriented by the lights and hit a building, I am guessing Ste hit the nail on the head (sorry about the pun) and this is what possibly happened to David's unfortunate pair.
