Poet in Residence – Godwit Festival!

What is the Godwit Festival?

Godwit Festival is a weekend of talks, walks and family-friendly activities on the 1st and 2nd of June to celebrate the Black-tailed Godwit, a wetland specialist in the Fens.

Come and immerse yourself in the life of the Black-tailed Godwit - with 'wader walks', bug hunting, bird-watching, arts & crafts - there's something for everyone and what a wonderful way to spend the weekend... Katherine McMahon, Back from the Brink poet, will be a poet in residence on the Sunday (2nd) facilitating drop-in sessions throughout the day. Visitors will be able to take home creations as well as contributing creative ideas for a larger piece of artwork which will be completed by Katherine and launched in July/August.

Find out about these endangered birds, the history and current conservation of their wetland home, and how the project is aiming to secure their future.
Talks and walks have limited spaces so booking essential. Entrance is included in admission, free to members.

 

Details

Project Godwit/Back from the Brink speakers:

Hannah Ward (Back from the Brink and RSPB)
Rebecca Lees (WWT) telling the story of Project Godwit
Jen Smart (RSPB) talking about the research and tracking of Black-tailed Godwits

Guest speakers:

Mike Petty (local historian and raconteur) telling the story of the creation of the Ouse Washes in the Fens and the course of its history to the present day
Ian Downey (Middle Level Commissioners) detailing the formation of the Ouse Washes as part of the 17^th century drainage project
Pete Potts (Operation Godwit leader) sharing his experience coordinating volunteers for an International project and the monitoring of the Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit population.

Site visits:
Guided tour at Welney to see Black-tailed Godwits and habitat of the Ouse Washes (Leigh).
Guided tour at Eldernell to see Black-tailed Godwits and habitat of the Nene Washes (Charlie).

Timings

Saturday:

10-11am Hannah Ward Talk

10-11am Nene Washes guided tour

11-11.30am – Walks to Project Godwit head-starting facility

11-11.30am – Wader walk (families)

11.30-12.30pm Jen Smart Talk

1-2pm Mike Petty Talk

2-3pm Guided tour

2.30-3.30pm Pete Potts Talk

3.30-4pm Wader Walk (families)

Sunday:

10-11am Becs Lees Talk

10-11am Nene Washes guided tour with Charlie

11-11.30am – Walks to Project Godwit head-starting facility

11-11.30am – Wader walk (families)

11.30am – 12.30pm Ian Downey Talk

1-2pm Pete Potts Talk

2-3pm Guided tour

3.30-4pm Wader Walk families

All day – Katherine McMahon poetry drop-in workshops.