Way back in January 2009 I was fortunate to get close enough to a small group of feeding BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) at Farlington Marshes and managed a few reasonable digi-scoped images including one colour ringed individual.
I remember sending in a report of this sighting to the appropriate 'recorder' and received an acknowledgement and a promise to learn more about its history .... but was only told that it was ringed as a juvenile male at Farlington Marshes in September 2008. I was therefore somewhat surprised to receive an e-mail today .... some 3 years later .... which provided an updated history of this individuals' sightings up to the end of last year
18 Nov 2008 Pagham Harbour, Chichester, West Sussex, S England
19 Nov 2008 Pagham Harbour, Chichester, West Sussex, S England
17 Jan 2009 Farlington Marshes LNR, Portsmouth, Hampshire, S England
12 July to 6 Sept 2010 Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Kent, SE England
29 Nov 2010 Langstone Bridge, Hayling Island, Hampshire, S England
15 Dec 2010 Langstone Bridge, Hayling Island, Hampshire, S England
29 Jan 2011 Langstone Bridge, Hayling Island, Hampshire, S England
26 Mar 2011 Maldon, Blackwater Estuary, Essex, E England
25 Apr 2011 Melasveit, Borgarfjarðarsýsla, W Iceland
31 Oct 2011 Motney Hill, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE England
30 Dec 2011 Hayling Bridge, Langstone Harbour, Hayling Island, Hampshire, S England
02 to 11 Feb 2012 Hayling Bridge, Langstone Harbour, Hayling Island, Hampshire, S England
30 Dec 2012 Pagham Harbour, West Sussex, S England
30 Dec 2012 North Wall, Pagham Harbour, West Sussex
Whilst I wasn't surprised to learn that this wader has generally stayed faithful to the area around Langstone Harbour where it fledged, apart from spending some time at Oare Marshes in Kent (Summer 2010), there has been one sighting reported from outside the UK when this bird decided to migrate to Iceland in 2011.
I wonder where it will be seen next? I am looking forward to returning to Farlington Marshes next month on a birding day with a few friends from the Surrey Bird Club. FAB.
Linking up to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.
Great shots of the banded Godwit. It is cool to learn just where it has been seen over the years. Looks like a short appearance in Iceland. Cool!
ReplyDeleteGets around a bit doesn't he Frank. {:)
ReplyDeleteI find it quite astonishing where birds travel to and from.
Thanks Eileen. The Iceland visit was probably for a few months but only reported on one particular date until it returned to UK in early winter.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly does Roy but always returning home at some point. Without the ringing schemes we wouldn't have a clue of where they end up!
ReplyDeleteThats an old one Frank. Where have you been, hibernating.
ReplyDeleteSure is Mike. Just been taking things easy for a while!
Delete3 years later!? wow! that's actually pretty cool, if not quite timely. :)
ReplyDeletenice to see you visit and post today, frank. always nice to hear from you.
Thanks Teresa ... it's good to be back on-line at last.
DeleteAlways good to see you post. Bands can tell some fascinating stories.
ReplyDeleteCheers Red. If only more people would send in reports we might have a better idea of specie movements.
DeleteGreat photos and really interesting notes on his movements!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment Wally.
DeleteVery interesting post Frank. It must have been fed up with touring the South of England and decided to have a foreign holiday!...[;o)
ReplyDeleteCheers Trevor. I do wonder how many other overseas trips it may have had that went unnoticed!!
DeleteI've been lucky enough to band Bar -Tails - we have satellite tracked them to Alaska! Crazy really.
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for the link to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
Hi Stewart. Thanks for acknowledging my link to WBW. Technology has definitely increased our knowledge of avian movements.
DeleteLovely Godwit Frank, 2009 must have been quite a year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob. The weather was far more favourable in Jan 2009!
DeleteFascinating the information we can get from ringed birds Frank.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back.
Thanks Kieth. It all helps our understanding.
DeleteHi Frank, I so miss seeing your entries, and hearing from you. Hoping that your family is doing well. The Godwits are really wonderful looking chaps, those cool long legs~
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Yes, I know it's been a while but all is well over here.
DeleteWonderful to see this little beauty and you did really well with the photographs.
ReplyDeleteCarol. Thanks for your visit and kind comment.
DeleteHi Frank
ReplyDeleteReally interesting to see how this Godwit has fared over the years, and great images as well.
Good to see you back on blogger, and belated Happy New Year.
Cheers Monty. It would be good to get that close again sometime.
DeleteGreat images and such an interesting narrative!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ken. Very nice to hear from you.
DeleteHi Frank. That's great that you found out more....eventually! (-: I've posted a blog for the first time in over a year! Am hoping to get back into it! We shall see! Hope all is well with you. J
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. Yeah .. I never expected that a response would arrive this far down the line! Best wishes for 2013.
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