Hampshire's Wild Residents And Seasonal Visitors

In the first of a new monthly column we explore some of Hampshire’s wild residents and seasonal visitors – starting with the black-tailed godwit

If crisp winter days lure you out to the coast, try heading to the wetland areas for a glimpse of the black-tailed godwit. This large and rather elegant wading bird has long legs and a long, straight bill which helps to distinguish it from the curlew, which has a downward curving bill. In flight, this type of godwit shows off its broad white bars on the wings and tail, offering a flash of white against the grey winter landscape.

Black-tailed godwits can be seen at several coastal nature reserves, including Hampshire County Council’s Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Local Nature Reserve and Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve. More than 7,000 of these birds visit the south coast, (4,000 in Hampshire) mainly during the winter months.