Project Godwit Action Plan sets the priorities for the next decade of endangered Black-tailed Godwit conservation

Project Godwit Action Plan sets the priorities for the next decade of endangered Black-tailed Godwit conservation - WWT

a Black-tailed Godwit with very long legs and open beak standing on a rock — Black-tailed Godwit 'Earith' at the RSPB Pilot Project site in 2020 (Jonathan Taylor, RSPB)

A new action plan has been published by the RSPB, WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) and Natural England in the final year of their collaboration on Project Godwit, detailing the path to recovery over the next decade for this endangered wading bird.

To help secure the future of the Black-tailed Godwit, the action plan sets out the key conservation priorities to save the species from a second extinction as a breeding bird in the UK.

These priorities include recommended actions to maintain and improve existing key breeding sites, increase the extent of lowland wet grassland in the Fens and further understand and act on the pressures Godwits face from predation. Some of these actions are already underway, helping us to reinforce the UK’s existing Godwit populations and return this endangered bird to former breeding areas, securing its long-term future.

Mike Shurmer, Head of Species for England at the RSPB said: “Project Godwit has shown great success in boosting the UK’s breeding population and buying us time to save them, but the pressure on the species from habitat loss, predation and climate change means that without further help the species is heading for decline. If current trends continue, our research suggests that the breeding population of Black-tailed Godwit in England will fall from a predicted 60 pairs in 2025 to less than 40 pairs by 2033.”

Senior Project Manager (Species Recovery) at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Eric Heath said: “Creating and restoring the healthy wetland habitat these birds rely on for breeding and raising their young is the most important factor in saving the species in the long term. Creating these thriving natural landscapes will also provide huge boosts to other wildlife, capture carbon and provide people better access to nature. If we secure funding for this action plan and can carry out this work we would aim to see 80 pairs of Godwits across at least four wetland sites by 2033.”