Bar-tailed Godwit at the Oysterbeds

[PeterD]

This bird is very similar to our familiar Black-tailed Godwit - more on this below. This Godwit breeds on the tundra in the arctic. When not on their breeding ground, they can normally be seen on the coastline from Denmark down to Spain. The weather conditions brought a flock of these into Langstone Harbour. I had the pleasure to see these on the shoreline, next to the path to the Oysterbed.

Comparison between these Godwit.

Black-tailed Godwit





Bar-tailed Godwit


The legs are shorter than those of the Black=tailed Godwit. The under belly has large orange spots.


The tail feathers lack the solid black border. The upper surface of the wing lacks the white bar.

More images of the Bar-tailed Godwit


Caught whilst fluffing up its feathers.


I saw a flock of these birds at Southmoor last Saturday so there is a very good chance they are still around. Be quick though, as they will leave for the arctic any time now.

Hope you like these

[Wee man]

Re: Bar-tailed Godwit at the Oysterbeds

Nice series have seen the black tailed but not aware of the bar tailed.

[PeterD]

Re: Bar-tailed Godwit at the Oysterbeds

Nice series have seen the black tailed but not aware of the bar tailed.

Thanks for your reply Ed. These birds are vagrants (blown off-course) when they appear here. They are seen most years but in small numbers.

PLEASE NOTE: I have edited the first posting - made an error and selected URL instead of IMG.

[David Morison]

Re: Bar-tailed Godwit at the Oysterbeds

Very nice set of images Peter. We do get small numbers of Bar Tailed in Lincolnshire during the Spring passage but mainly on the coast although there has been one on my local wetland scheme for a few days now. At least 150-200 metres away though.

David

[PeterD]

Re: Bar-tailed Godwit at the Oysterbeds

Very nice set of images Peter. We do get small numbers of Bar Tailed in Lincolnshire during the Spring passage but mainly on the coast although there has been one on my local wetland scheme for a few days now. At least 150-200 metres away though.

David

Thanks David. The ones around here probably have flown up from the Bay of Biscay/Portugal. They might even stage in your area before flying north east to northern Scandinavia. The flock size I have seen is about 30 birds.