Black-tailed Godwit

🔍 Overview

Elegant and long-legged, the Black-tailed Godwit is a regular visitor to Sussex wetlands. Numbers peak during passage and winter, with flocks frequenting Pulborough Brooks and Adur Valley.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Size: Large wader (40–44 cm)
Plumage: Grey in winter; rich orange and patterned in breeding season
Distinctive Marks: Bold black tail, white wing bar
Bill: Long, straight, orange-based
Tail: Solid black with white rump
Flight: Direct, with strong beats and gliding

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Common at coastal lagoons, wet grasslands, and estuarine mudflats during spring and autumn.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Soft “wicka-wicka” calls in flight. Often feeds in shallow water, probing steadily.

🍴 Diet

Feeds on insects, aquatic larvae, worms, and some plant matter.

📸 Birding Tip

Visit Pulborough Brooks in spring or Worthing Beaches at high tide for the best views. Use a scope to admire plumage detail.