Helping godwits get off to a flier

The UK’S first ever hand-reared black-tailed godwits have been released and begun their journey towards warmer climates for winter.

A total of 26 of the birds were raised at Welney Wetland Centre in Norfolk, and since being sent into the wild, many have already been spotted along the north Norfolk coast, while others have made it as far as Essex.

Released only 11 weeks ago, it is hoped the birds will eventually join other black-tailed godwits to fly south through Spain and Portugal, as far as Africa.

The birds were raised in captivity as part of Project Godwit, which saw the eggs of the endangered birds collected from the wild by RSPB and WWT staff to boost their chances of reaching maturity. Anyone who does spot the birds is asked to report the sighting at projectgodwit.org.uk to help track their progress.

Samantha Herbert