Black-tailed godwits of the Icelandic subspecies islandica winter in the UK in internationally important numbers, with welfare challenges from estuarine habitat loss and climate-driven range shifts.
Black-tailed godwit welfare in UK wintering areas is challenged by intertidal habitat loss from coastal development and sea level rise. Estuarine mudflats that godwits depend on for invertebrate foraging are being lost to both hard coastal defenses and agricultural reclamation. Disturbance by recreational users, dogs, and vehicles on intertidal areas forces birds to fly repeatedly instead of feeding, causing energetic stress during winter when body condition must be maintained. Climate change is altering invertebrate communities in estuaries, potentially reducing prey availability. Godwits that cannot meet their nutritional needs in winter arrive at spring migration in poor condition, reducing breeding success.