The successful fledging of eight black-tailed godwit chicks was the highlight of another successful breeding season at WWT Welney.

Ely Standard: Black-tailed godwit chick. Photo: WWT/Tom Rosselli.Black-tailed godwit chick. Photo: WWT/Tom Rosselli. (Image: Archant)

‘Gary’ the godwit with his two females, alongside two ‘traditional’ pairs of birds, have worked hard to produce the next generation.

The birds will stay on the reserve until autumn, when they will make their migration south to Africa.

These chicks add to those already fledged from 126 pairs of lapwing and 68 pairs of redshank and will shortly be followed by the 35 avocet chicks.

It has been three years since there were last black-tailed godwits chicks taking to the skies above WWT Welney, so the sight of them now testing their wings is a very welcome one this summer.