Bar-Tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica

 Scarce

Summary

The bar-tailed godwit is a large wading bird that migrates in thousands from Arctic Scandinavia and Siberia.

It tends to stick to the coastline and large estuaries like the Ribble, and is rarely seen here at Grimsargh Wetlands.

Many of the birds we see here in the UK are simply passing through on their way further south for the winter.

Did you know that Alaskan Godwits winter in New Zealand, but make the 11,000km journey without stopping, which takes around 7 days in total? It is thought to be the longest non-stop journey of any bird.

Bar-Tailed Godwit facts and statistics

• Length: 33-42cm
• Wingspan: 75cm
• Weight: 300-370g


How to identify

We will mostly see the bar-tailed godwit in its grey-brown winter plumage, but during spring we might just get to see its transformation to a beautiful chestnut brown for breeding season.

As you would expect from its name, it has a barred tail in flight as well as a white wedge on its rump and back.


Conservation status

The bar-tailed godwit is classified as Amber on the UK’s watch list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Habitat

• Coastal
• Large estuaries
• Wetlands

Bar-Tailed Godwit sightings at Grimsargh Wetlands

Bar-Tailed Godwit Gallery

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