Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Bar-tailed Godwit is a long-haul migration specialist — some individuals fly non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand, the longest non-stop bird migration on Earth. The Sefton Coast birds are from Scandinavian breeding grounds, wintering on the Ribble Estuary. In autumn passage, adults still in brick-red summer plumage are spectacular.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Habitat | Estuary · Mudflat · Sandy beach |
| Diet | Marine worms, bivalves, crustaceans probed from mud and sand |
| UK population | Around 40,000 wintering birds from Scandinavian and Siberian breeding grounds |
| Sefton Coast | Regular on the Ribble Estuary; numbers in hundreds in winter |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Ribble Estuary at low tide. Marshside lagoons. Sandy beach at low tide.
Identification
Large wader. Long, slightly upturned bill. No white wing bar (unlike Black-tailed). Barred tail visible in flight. Brick-red below in summer, grey-brown in winter.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Check the Ribble Estuary mudflats at low tide. In August, some birds retain summer plumage and stand out.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bar-tailed Godwits really fly non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand?
Yes. The Bar-tailed Godwit (Baueri subspecies) undertakes the longest non-stop migration of any bird — around 11,000km in approximately 8–11 days without landing, eating or drinking. The Sefton Coast birds are a different subspecies (lapponica) from Scandinavian breeding grounds, but still undertake substantial migrations of several thousand kilometres.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.