Godwits Return.

Chronicle (Levin), 19 September 1949, Page 4

Godwits Return.

Leah and eXhausted after their 9'000-mile fiight from Siberia, East Asia and Alaska, the first flocks oi godwits are returning to their Summer home on the harbours and mudflats of the far north. Thousands more of these smai] speck'ed brbwn birds which fflbke a yearly migration across vast stretches of ocean will reappear within the next few weeks. TTieir feturn jburiiey from Siberia, anc Alaska is through Japan, Ohina. and the Philippines. Some authorities believe that a non-stop flight is made from New Guinea or Northern Australia to New Zealand, as very few birds have been seen bn Lord Howe, Norlolk, or the Kermadec Islands. Mrv A. H.i Watt, of Parengarenga Harbour, .neaf North C'ape, who has made a' close study of godwits' habits, said! that a flock of 250 to 300 birds Xve'fe seen for the first time on Thursday. They were obviously in poor condition after the straim and hazards of migration, and; thfey wefe not likely to wa'ste anyi time in getting themselves estab-! llshed on the mudflats of Parengarenga Harbour. .