Incredibly rare breeding bird spotted in the North East

The black-tailed godwit, an elegant long-legged wading bird, was spotted and photographed by Northern Echo Camera Club member Paul Borrowdale at WWT Washington Wetland Centre.

Although black-tailed godwits are not considered exceptionally rare worldwide, their status in the UK is very different.

The species is classified as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5, reflecting the dramatic decline of its British breeding population.

Fewer than 60 pairs of the native breeding population are thought to remain, with nesting largely restricted to a small number of wet grassland sites.

The bird is heavily protected and has become the focus of conservation efforts aimed at preventing its disappearance as a UK breeding species.

Black-tailed godwit (Image: PAUL BORROWDALE/CAMERA CLUB)

However, people have a much better chance of encountering a black-tailed godwit outside the breeding season.

Thousands of birds arrive from Iceland to spend the winter around Britain’s estuaries, mudflats and wetlands, while others can be seen stopping at inland waters during spring and autumn migration.

Globally, the black-tailed godwit has a population numbering in the hundreds of thousands and is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

The species can be recognised by its exceptionally long legs and long, straight bill.

During spring and summer, adults are particularly striking, developing brick-orange colouring across the head, neck and chest, together with a greyish back and pale belly.

Their winter plumage is considerably more subdued, with birds appearing predominantly grey above and white underneath.

In flight, another series of distinctive features becomes visible: a black tail, white rump and broad white wingbars, while the bird’s long feet project noticeably beyond the end of its tail.

Black-tailed godwits are taller than the similar bar-tailed godwit and generally have a straighter bill.

They feed in wetlands and estuaries by probing mud and shallow water for worms, insects and other invertebrates, and outside the breeding season they can gather in large, sociable flocks.

Conservation schemes including Project Godwit have worked to protect nesting sites, improve habitat and increase the breeding success of the remaining birds.

Black-tailed godwits are also known for forming long-lasting monogamous pairs. Breeding partners can return separately from migration yet arrive at their nesting grounds within days of one another before raising their chicks together.