Limosa limosa

This Black-tailed Godwit was one of two that spent more than a week in Catalina during May 2011.
– Photo: Jared Clarke (May 25, 2011)

Status: Rare (Less than annual)

Origins: Breeds in Iceland, Europe and parts of Asia. A rare but regular vagrant to Newfoundland & Labrador; rarer to the Maritimes and northeastern United States.

Details: This species is recorded almost annually in Newfoundland, typically in spring with a few arriving and/or lingering into June. There is one fall record of a juvenile in St. John’s from October 14-24, 1989. Another noteworthy record occurred at Bonavista on April 14, 2022 when a group of eight (!) were photographed together (this record coincided with the arrival of eight Barnacle Geese to the same area). All records have either been identified as, or presumed to be, the nominate islandica (Icelandic) race as might be expected.

* NOTE – This website is not an official account and “may” contain incorrect information and/or details of unconfirmed records. *