FROM SIBERIA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1932, Page 7

FROM SIBERIA

GOD WITS REACH N.Z

LONG OCEAN JOURNEY.

... i November vß.*’-« “Wring last week the godwits have started to return, to New Zealand after their long annual migration to Siberia. Large flocks arrived at the Kaipara Harbour last Sunday, and further flocks, flying in the peculiar wedgedslrap'Cd formation, with a lone bird in the lead, have continued to arrive at almost daily intervals. Thousands of the birds can. now he seen on the mudflats of the Kaipara Harbour and at other favoured spots along the west coast.

The return of the birds, which are perhaps the most widely-known species of migratory birds in the North Island, has occurred considerably earlier this year than last, when the birds did not appear in any large numbers until early in December. In normal years the migration is completed by the end of November.

MOST METHODICAL BIRDS.

Godwin are most methodical in their habits. Every year they assemble at ti e. Ninety-Mile Beach, Spirits’ B>y and other northerr benches in April, preparatory to flying north to Siberia and other Arctic regions for breeding. After reaching Siberia they lay in July, and by/the beginning of October the young birds are able to undertake the journey south. In the last stage of their flight they have to cover more than 1000 miles of ocean between New Caledonia and th-e North Auckland peninsula.

' The generally-accepted theory of the annual migration is that the birds are following the line, of a coast that. once, in the dim oast, stretched from Siberia to New 7i .lnland..

LAND GRADUALLY SUBSIDED

The theory is that, as the land surface gradlueliy subsided and gave way to chains of islands and firt.Lly to wide expanses of sea, the godwits continued to seek-their former resort by the same route in obedience to strength of instinct.

The flights are not of the non-stop 'variety, and probably occupy at lea si live wWks. Thu- Sibgril.p summer i-' favourable for nesting and an abundance of food is available. The birds are grey m colour when they arrive in New Z'l land, but by the time of their departure in April they assume bright chestnut breeding plumage. The early Maoris know the bird well and called it the kuaka. Godwits are usually comparatively tame and feed regardless of passers-by until the shooting season for godwits a"d other vyf'dcrs opens on January 1. They then become very wary.'