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. You are more likely to see Bar-tailed Godwits in Northumberland, but Black-tailed Godwits do occur here and there. Bar-tailed Godwits have (as their name suggests) a barred pattern to their tail feathers, and Black-tailed Godwits have black tails, although it's not always easy to see under their confusingly black wingtips. There are other more subtle differences such as these have a longer leg above their knees. Godwits feed by probing the ground and mud with their long bills. This one was on the Rocket Field - as a general rule of thumb, you are more likely to see Bar-tailed Godwits in salt water and Black-tailed Godwits in fresh water. Godwits are grey in the winter, but they change to a lovely coppery-red in the summer.