Action Plan
National single species Action Plan for the UK breeding population of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa 2023-2033
Project Godwit Final Report
Final Report on the Project Godwit LIFE project, which ran from 2016-2023
Layperson's Report: End of Project Summary
Recovering and securing the future of the globally Near Threatened Black-tailed Godwit in the UK
Practical summary of all project findings for a conservation audience
Project Godwit has advanced our understanding of the conservation needs and challenges of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa. This document is a summary of the published findings, outputs and other resources generated from the project so that the learnings can be used by others
Headstarting Manual
Hiscock, N. & Costa, W. (2023) Best practice guideline for headstarting Black-tailed Godwits. The manual details the headstarting methodology for Project Godwit between 2017-2022.
Watch the Project Godwit headstarting video
Headstarting guidance
The key stages common to all headstarting projects from establishing the conservation case to reporting.
A checklist of issues that should be considered when making the decision to implement a headstarting project for waders.
The key questions to consider before implementing a headstarting project for waders. Answering these questions should give an indication of the feasibility of the project (what are the chances of success?) and highlight the areas that are likely to be most problematic.
This document provides templates to assist with assessing the benefits and costs (risks and negative impacts) of a proposed headstarting project.
Education materials
We have created a classroom pack of materials based on the Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum, including lessons plans, activities, worksheets, posters and ideas for wall displays. Download in full here or visit our Classroom Materials page for more information and to download individual files/activities.
Interpretation & signage
A poster summarising Project Godwit. Produced in June 2021, 1 page (A3).
Project noticeboard installed at WWT Welney, Ouse Washes in March 2018, 1 page (A1, 594 x 841mm).
Godwit models and signage installed at WWT Welney, Ouse Washes in March 2018. 7 pages (of photographs).
Conference poster for International Wader Study Group Conference, September 2017, 1 page (A1, 594 x 841mm).
Summer 2017, 1 page
Scientific Papers
Advances in Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa conservation research over the last 15 years: What have we learned and what do we need to know?
Verhoeven, M. A., McBride, A. D., Lee, R., Batey, C., Donaldson, L., Alves, J. A., Craft, T., Gill, J. A., Silva-Monteiro, M., Stessens, M., Burgess, M. & Smart, J. (2024). Wader Study 131(2): 132-144.
Headstarting boosts population of a threatened wader, the black-tailed godwit
Donaldson, L., Hughes, R., Smart, J., Jarrett, N., Burgess, M. D., Batey, C., Dessi, N. & Hilton, G. M. (2024). Animal Conservation Early View DOI: 10.1111/acv.12984.
Ecology and conservation of breeding Black-tailed Godwits in the UK
Batey, C., Burgess, M., Donaldson, L., Lee, R. & Smart, J. (2023) British Wildlife 34(4), 235-245
Do ditch-side electric fences improve the breeding productivity of ground-nesting waders?
Verhoeven, M. A., Jelle Loonstra, A. H., Pringle, T., Kaspersma, W., Whiffin, M., McBride, A. D., Sjoerdsma, P., Roodhart, C., Burgess, M. D., Piersma, T. & Smart, J. (2022) Ecological Solutions and Evidence 3(2), 1-13
Diagnosing the recent population decline of Black-tailed Godwits in the
United Kingdom
Verhoeven, M. A., Smart, J., Kitchin, C., Schmitt, S., Whiffin, M., Burgess, M. & Ratcliffe, N. (2021) Wader Study 128(1), 65-76
Predator management for breeding waders: a review of current evidence and priority knowledge gaps
Laidlaw, R., Smart, J., Ewing, H., Franks, S., Belting, H., Donaldson, L., Hilton, G., Hiscock, N., Hoodless, A., Hughes, B., Jarrett, N., Kentie, R., Kleyheeg, E., Lee, R., Roodbergen, M., Scott, D., Short, M., Syroeschkovskiy, E., Teunissen, W., Ward, H., White, G. & Gill, J. (2021) Wader Study 128(1), 44-55
Annual reports
Short report on project activities in 2020.
Short report covering project activities in 2019.
Short report covering project activities in 2018
Short report on project activities in 2017.