Hudsonian Godwit is a first for Wales

Hudsonian Godwit (in flight) and Black-tailed Godwit (Alan Hitchmough)

Hudsonian Godwit (left, with dark underwings) and Black-tailed Godwits (Steve Lawson)

A species never previously recorded in Wales has been attracting birders to the Dee estuary, following a report of a Hudsonian Godwit last Monday. The godwit is a North American species that breeds on marshes in the very remotest far north of Canada and migrates through the central and eastern United States and Caribbean to winter in the southern half of South America, as far south as Cape Horn.

The bird was initially seen at the permit-only Connah’s Quay nature reserve and later that evening was at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, where it has been seen on several days subsequently; it was also reported from Flint Castle on Monday. Full credit to the observers on both sides of the border who found this individual among a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits. The Dee estuary is the second most important site in Britain for Black-tailed Godwits, with more than 7000 here in late summer. Hudsonian Godwit, with its distinctive black underwings, has only occurred in Britain a handful of times, in 1981-83, 1988, 2015, 2020 and 2023.
​The Border Pool at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands also hosted two Garganeys on Monday, while other unusual sightings include a Roseate Tern and two Little Terns at Afon Wen near Criccieth, where more than 40 Mediterranean Gulls roosted. A Quail has called in the Dee valley near Holt for more than a week, a Wood Warbler was at Porth Meudwy and a Little Ringed Plover at Cemlyn on Sunday. Several Marsh Harriers have passed through Meirionnydd, including two at Morfa Harlech and singles on the Glaslyn and Artro estuaries. These may be birds from farther north or could be youngsters dispersing from two nests on the Dyfi estuary that were the first ever in Ceredigion. 

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