The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Waders - The Bar-tailed Godwit

First seen on Thursday 13th May 2021 at Druridge Pools

Godwits are easy to identify, as they are the large waders with a very long straight bill (not curved down like a curlew). However, there are two types of Godwits, not so easy to tell apart. They are the Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits. In Northumberland it is these Bar-tailed Godwits which you are more likely to see, although at Druridge I've actually seen far more Black-tailed. Bar-tailed Godwits have (as their name suggests) a barred pattern to their tail feathers, although its not always easy to see under their confusingly black wingtips. There are other more subtle differences such as a shorter leg above their knees, and their feathers are dark with pale edges.