THE GODWIT ARRIVE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20978, 5 October 1933, Page 4

THE GODWIT ARRIVE

o i LARGE FLOCKS ON WAIMEA j MUDFLATS During the last week large flocks of godwit have made their appearance on the Waimea mudflats (writes the Waimea correspondent of the "Nelson Mail," under dale of Monday last). These wonderful birds have this season arrived on. these shores earlier than usual, probably owing to the fact that weather conditions during their prolonged flight have been more favourable than usual. It is at this season of the year that the thoughts of bird lovers turn to the wonderful migration of the godwit and other allied species to these shores. It is a fascinating thought that at the present moment countless numbers of these birds are winging their way across the trackless ocean guided only by their unerring instinct. As the birds arrive—in a thoroughly exhausted conditio!!—they gradually spread over the whole Dominion and food being abundant they quickly put on condition until, when they leave in March, they are covered with a thick layer of fat which sustains them on their long return flight. If for any reason they are not perfectly fit they remain behind for the winter, and it is unfortunately true that the numbers of the "unfit" are increasing. This is no doubt owing to the fact that more shooting is done now than formerly. Now that an open season is proclaimed and licenses are issued permitting the holders to shoot godwit during the months of January, February, and May, the fact that such birds exist and are good to eat has been extensively advertised, and "snipe shooting" has become a popular pastime. In shooting of this kind where large ilocks of birds are fired into, generally at long range, numbers are slightly wounded, and do not dare essay the return journey. One reads, too, of the unfortunate birds being hounded along the beaches by parties of so-called sportsmen in fast motor-cars. Another nefarious practice is indulged in on these flats —that is shooting the birds on their roosting place at nlg-it. The godwit have their favourite spot where they assemble to roost, and it is here that they are shot on moonlight nights. The writer once heard 18 shots which snapped viciously across the water one calm moonlight night, while next day several harriers were observed busily feeding along the waterfront—they were enjoying the feast of dead and wounded birds. Can it be wondered then that godwit are not so plentiful as formerly and that they are shy and difficult to approach? Such methods as these not only scatter the flocks, but drive the unfortunate birds right away to more secluded spots where they may at least spend their nights in peace.