Black-tailed Godwits at Llanelli, Wales

Please see October 2016 update below on the banded Black-tailed Godwit

About 350 Black-tailed Godwits were at Llanelli Wetlands Centre in Wales. Some recent arrivals were in full breeding plumage, having migrated south from their breeding grounds, many probably from Iceland. 5 July 2016

This banded (ringed) individual was banded in Ireland. It belongs to the population that breeds in Iceland. It has an orange band above a dark band on upper left leg, and a distinctive large white band with black engraved horizontal circles on the upper right leg. 5 July 2016. Please see video:

Banded (ringed) Black-tailed Godwit at Llanelli

Black-tailed Godwit: Barry O'Mahony in Cork, Ireland sent this information on 3 August 2016: "The bird was in its first year when I ringed it and, as you can see, it looked as if Ireland was its favoured wintering area. Perhaps it got lost on its way back from Iceland and it will be interesting to see if it makes it back to Cork Harbour again this year. This is the first of the Cork birds to visit Wales, although we have had a few that were seen in England or Scotland, and adds to our understanding of what these birds are doing."

LATEST Update: On 23 October, Barry O'Mahony informed me that this godwit had left Llanelly and returned to Cork, presumably for the winter.

Other Black-tailed Godwits and Plumages at Llanelli

Non breeding plumage probably indicates a first summer Black-tailed Godwit that did not migrate to the breeding grounds farther north, but summered here at Llanelli Wetlands. 5 July 2016.

Black-tailed Godwit molting to winter plumage. Llanelli Wetlands on 5 July 2016.

These Black-tailed Godwits present an interesting range of plumages. So beautiful. 5 July 2016.

Video Links

Banded (ringed) Black-tailed Godwit at Llanelli

These Black-tailed Godwits at Llanelli are a magnificent sight