Help Wanted Bar-tailed Godwit Spring Records

[jimb]

Hi,
I have been studying the migration passage of Bar-tailed Godwit along the south coast concerning the sub-species taymyrensis and with the first birds beginning to be reported I would love to hear from anyone who have any sightings of Bar-tails between April and the end of May. If you have any photos this would also be very helpful plus any details of ringed individuals. I am aware that there is an annual spring passage up the Severn so would be interested in any 2009 records (and if anyone has the time also pre-2009). I have produced a paper, jointly with Hampshire Bird Report editor Alan Cox, on "Barwit" migration and we are continuing to study this subject along with grounded individuals who stop off to feed up before continuing their journey north.
All records will be acknowledged.
Many thanks and good watching,
Jim

[myoudale]

There were 6 in Saul Warth area on Mike Kings Website on Sunday 26th and 72 on the 25th of April in Saul . These are however in Gloucestershire

Also keep and eye on the WWT Slimbridge site, on the wildlife watching link. It has a list of migrating species on a near daily basis

[jimb]

Thanks very much for the records and the link, much appreciated.

Jim

[jfmgb777]

We had one pointed out to us on 9 May 2009 when visiting Shapwick Heath (English Nature Reserve) just to the west of Glastonbury. National Grid Ref. ST 430403. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapwick_Heath

It might be worth your while getting in touch with the Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset branch of the RSPB, who often visit:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/westonsupermare/contact/

[Popeye]

Jim,

I have only just found your request

see http://www.severnsidebirds.co.uk/page133.html for some April Sightings

It would be worth checking out this/my website for previous years reports in April and May, some years we get hundreds each day moving through (see April 2007 with 450 in one day!)

best wishes

Paul

[jimb]

Many thanks for the update jfmgb777, much appreciated. I am presently collating the data from the spring passage which appears to have been in small numbers due to unfavourable weather conditions for sightings although good weather for the birds themselves !.

[jimb]

Paul,
Many thanks for your comments and the link - a great website now added to my favourites.
Thanks again,
Jim

[Gordon]

Jimb,
have you considered accessing BirdTrack/Bird Atlas?

cheers
Gordon