UK Wildlife

Bar-tailed Godwit Epic Long-Distance Migrant

The bar-tailed godwit holds the world record for non-stop flight, with individuals flying over 11,000km from Alaska to New Zealand without stopping, while UK birds make similar journeys from West Africa.

Key Facts

Bar-tailed godwit B6 flew 11,500km non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand in 11 days in 2007
UK wintering birds migrate from West African Sahel zone to Arctic breeding grounds
Accumulates fat equal to half its body weight before migration
UK wintering population around 59,000 on estuaries and sandy shores
Longer bill than black-tailed godwit, upswept at tip, with barred tail

Welfare Considerations

Bar-tailed godwit welfare depends on the integrity of estuarine feeding grounds in UK, West African wintering areas, and Arctic breeding grounds. Sahel desertification threatens West African wintering habitat. Coastal development on UK estuaries reduces pre-migration feeding opportunity.

What You Can Do

Support West African wetland conservation programmes
Advocate for estuarine habitat protection to maintain pre-migration feeding grounds
Record bar-tailed godwit through WeBS counts to monitor this remarkable migrant