Wild Black-Tailed Godwit Conservation Welfare

Black-tailed godwits breed at just a handful of UK sites - intensive conservation management maintains this fragile population.

Key Facts

Fewer than 100 black-tailed godwits breed in the UK, mainly at RSPB Nene Washes and WWT Welney
They were extinct as UK breeding birds until the 1950s
Wet grassland management including controlled flooding is essential for breeding and foraging welfare
They winter in West Africa and face challenges throughout the flyway
RSPB nest protection including electric fencing dramatically increases breeding success
The UK population is one of the rarest breeding bird populations in western Europe

Welfare Considerations

Black-tailed godwit welfare requires intensive management at the tiny number of UK breeding sites. Without active water level management, predator control, and nest protection, the population cannot sustain itself. The welfare of individual pairs and chicks at these sites receives extraordinary management attention commensurate with their conservation status.

What You Can Do

Visit RSPB Nene Washes and WWT Welney to observe black-tailed godwits and support conservation tourism
Support RSPB through donation to fund godwit breeding site management
Participate in flyway monitoring that tracks godwits from breeding to wintering grounds
Advocate for wet grassland agri-environment options in areas with historical godwit breeding
Donate to global flyway conservation protecting godwit wintering habitats