Ringing Recoveries - Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 20th March 2024 © Jonny R

For some reason there is record levels of Black-tailed Godwit on patch. I don't know why - but I am supremely hyped about it. They peaked at around 3000 at the weekend and there is still over 1000 as I type (Wednesday 20th March).

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 15th March 2024 © Jonny R

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 15th March 2024 © Jonny R

I've managed to read the colour-ringed combinations of five birds so far, with the histories of two birds received:

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 15th March 2024 © Jonny R

The above bird is colour-ringed RW-LX, which was ringed on 05th July 2008 in Iceland! Specifically at Dýrafjörður. I've looked at Dýrafjörður on Google Earth and it looks serious. The bird has a massive sighting history and was last recorded in Iceland back in July 2016, various Suffolk and Norfolk locations and last on the Blyth back in March 2023. Albeit not by me!

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 15th March 2024 © Jonny R

The above bird RNf/YY was ringed up on the Humber at Welwick Saltmarsh on 10th December 2018, as a first winter. It has since been since varioulsy in Lincolnsgire inlcuding at Frampton Marsh and was last seen in Iceland at Grenjadarstadur in June 2022. My sighting is the first in Suffolk and the first for the Blyth.

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 20th March 2024 © Jonny R

Black-tailed Godwit - Blythburgh - 20th March 2024 © Jonny R

I'll add more bird histories to this post when they come in. Till then, the Godwit hype is very, very real...