WWT Welney is internet hosting a particular day-long occasion later this month with the RSPB to mark the tip of a seven-year programme that has boosted the numbers of 1 the UK’s rarest breeding wading birds, the black-tailed godwit, by an unimaginable 40%.
The wetland web site can be opening its doorways at 6.30am on Sunday, September 24 to have fun the success of Project Godwit, which has been a labour of affection for the group at WWT who’ve labored in partnership with the RSPB, native communities and nature fanatics to reverse the decline of the chook.
Proving the ability of partnership working, which concerned over 2000 native residents and schoolchildren who got the title of Godwit Guardians, the challenge launched 206 black-tailed godwits and the occasion can be a celebration of the work with a free open day that features nature talks, off-road safaris and a spread of household actions.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard throughout the project and the success seen is testament to the effort put in by people from both organisations involved,” stated WWT Project Manager Eric Heath.
“The shared experience and expertise this partnership introduced collectively has given black-tailed godwits a lifeline. But it’s clear that one factor we have to do is restore extra of the wetland habitat they should breed and survive over the long run.
“This is why we are working with farmers, landowners, local communities and others to create bigger, better and more connected wetlands to help the godwits and many other species thrive.”
As nicely as rearing and releasing birds, the challenge has enhanced moist grassland habitat offering the appropriate circumstances for godwits to breed, examined the threats the birds face, adopted the fortunes of individually marked godwits as they journey between England and west Africa utilizing sightings despatched in by members of the general public, and trialled different conservation strategies to extend the survival of eggs and chicks.
Breeding success within the wild, nevertheless, stays too low to help a secure inhabitants. The UK’s breeding black-tailed godwits are struggling like many different wading birds attributable to lack of habitat, unfavourable land administration, unsustainable predation charges and the impacts of local weather change.
So, to assist safe the way forward for the black-tailed godwit inhabitants within the UK, a ten 12 months motion plan can be launched on the WWT Welney godwit open day, that may information future work serving to this species to thrive sooner or later.
Hannah Phillips, RSPB Area Manager stated: “When over 80% of the UK’s breeding Black-tailed Godwits bred in just two locations – Ouse Washes and Nene Washes, and those breeding pairs were critically low in number, we knew we had to do something to help. Enabled by a range of conservation activities delivered in partnership with WWT, the project has helped to shore up this vulnerable bird’s future. We are pleased to be able to celebrate this success, but this is not the end, it is just the beginning, as we now jointly look to build on the work done and put in place an action plan to guide the next 10 years of conservation work for the Black-tailed Godwit in England.”
WWT Centre Manager, Leigh Marshall stated of the occasion: “This is a incredible alternative to expertise wetlands and discover out extra about one of the vital distinctive species of birds within the Fens.
“The groups of workers and volunteers who’ve been championing black-tailed godwits throughout the Ouse Washes and Nene Washes have devoted their lives to working for these birds, the habitats they depend on and the communities concerned within the wider panorama.
“These particular birds and their story is so inspiring, to know that they journey from Africa to breed right here every summer time, arriving at wholesome moist grasslands to lift the following era, in flip who will return for many years to come back.
“Black-tailed godwits only spend part of their year in the Fens, but the habitat is home for thousands of species year-round. We hope that people from local communities will come and see what we are all about and enjoy the range of activities, talks, walks and access we are putting on for this special occasion.”
The celebration occasion is a final alternative to have interaction with Project Godwit, but additionally a incredible probability to get impressed about wetlands and the way forward for black-tailed godwit conservation.
Full particulars of the Project Godwit celebration occasion at WWT Welney will be discovered right here:
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/welney/whats-on/wetland-celebration-open-day
Project Godwit is a partnership between the RSPB and WWT with main funding from the EU LIFE Nature Programme, the HSBC a hundred and fiftieth Anniversary Fund, Natural England, the Montague-Panton Animal Welfare Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, by means of the Back from the Brink programme.
Press launch from WWT Welney Wetland Centre
