Goodbye to the Godwits

Over the years when I had more time for posting to this blog I commented several times on the amazing migratory feat of the local bar-tailed godwits. 

Last night Bev and I took fish and chips and cordial down to the real Red Beach last night and sat in the car and watched the very smooth sea. The gulls even sat on our bonnet in vain hope of a snack.

Gazing out at the sea we had the strange feeling that the distant surface was moving. Suddenly we realised we were seeing greyish birds on the wing. Out came the binoculars and there was a thin straggling column flying northwards low over the water. It continued for several minutes.

By chance, we had happened on a major part of the annual migration of bar tailed godwits. This flock would probably continue north and link up with others from around New Zealand, heading for the Arctic tundra.

Of course, as we discovered a few years ago, the really incredible part is that their newly raised young ones will fly back here by themselves in six months.