THE GODWITS

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1935, Page 6

THE GODWITS

COAST ROAD SCENE Flocks at Fox’s River As reported in yesterday’s issue, what has every appearance of bein<>the greatest of this year’s migrations of Godwits from New Zealand to the far northern regions of the Arctic Circle, was indicated on Wednesday bv a. vast flock of birds over the tall rock at Point Elizabeth. Some observers of birds, however, knowing tin* customary congregation of introduced Starlings at that particular point in the autumn evenings, have formed the opinion that the birds seen bv Captain A T enn, Harbour Board signalman, on Wednesday evening through his tele scope, were probably these Starlings. It would, nevertheless, appear that they actually were the Godwits, gathering for their great ocean trek, as was judged by Captain Vonn. An “ Argus” represent alive yesterday made inquiries as to whether the birds had remained at Point Elizabeth, and elicited the information that they had moved northwards along the coast for a distance of about seventy miles. Interviewed last evening, the service driver for Newman’s, Ltd., who yes terday was on Ihe AVest port-to G revmouth run, stated that he and his pas sengers, including a number of oversea tourists, were enthralled at the sight of myriads of birds at Woodpecker Bay and Fox’s River. Right from the time their car reached AVhite Horse Terrace until it had come down to Gentle Annie Terrace, a distance of five miles, the birds remained in view. • The rocks in the sea, just off the shore, 'were thickly studded with the agitated birds, the colour of which was while, or almost entirely so, when s<‘en at a range of five hundred vards.

“They appeared just like clouds when flock after flock rose together off the rocks and off Seal Island, which forms the western margin of Woodpecker Bay.” remarked the service driver. “AVe came into sight of them at about 2.30 p.m., and observed them landing on the rocks and on the island, and also rising again. AVhile one flock would be away, wheeling in the air, another appeared to he taking its place on the rocks. The birds seemed to be very long-legged, and as they rose to fly, their legs hung plainly in view. The tourists marvelled at the sight. As for myself, T have been for five years driving on the Coast road, and never before have I seen anything at all resembling so many birds. They were in what you would reckon to be millions. The island and the rocks were covered with them. There is no doubt about the fact of their land-

Asked if he thought that the birds might possibly have been Starlings, the driver said: “I know Starlings very well, and I can tell you these birds were not starlings. At the distance of 500 yards, they looked, except for their whitish colour, to be similar in shape to the New Zealand pukeko—that is the length of their legs was a prominent feature. They certainly were not seagulls either, being smaller. Their size, in fact, was between that of seagulls and gannets. No doubt, people residing in the vicin ity of Woodpecker Bay could not have failed to have noted this big gathering of the birds, as with the rocks and the island covered with them, and with flock after flock wheeling and soaring in the air, the sight was one you could not miss. The passengers questioned me, but I had to admit I did not know what birds they were. It was not until I read the “Argus” article, on reaching. Greymouth, that I came to the conclusion that I had seen the start of the migration of the Godwits. They might be making, ip stages, for Cape Farewell. Their restlessness was most evident. Tt was hard to guess what caused it, but, as the paper states, this agitation is always a sign of their gathering for the long flight up through the Pacific Ocean to Alaska and Siberia. I am very pleased to have seen them, as one often reads of the Godwits, but one seldom sees them n such an enormous flock as there was this afternoon around Woodpecker Bay. I may get another look at them to-morrow, unless they have moved on further; but if people up the coastline .re on the look out, they will perhaps get a sight of them that will long remain in their memory.”

Captain Venn stated last evening hat he had not noticed the birds again at Point Elizabeth, but he had not kept a. lookout, as before sunset his attention was taken up with the movements of shipping. Flocking of Birds AT POINT ELIZABETH. (To the. Editor.) Sir, —Having read in this morning- s “Argus” a most 'interesting natural history study under the title ot “Bird Migration from West Coast,’’ 1 would ask the liberty of making some comments on the question. First ot all I would like to compliment Captain Venn on his enthusiasm in making observations of this bird phenomenon, and I hope that he will continue to avail himself of the opportunities for such study that his position as Signalman at the Tip-head presents to him. The collection of tens of thousands of birds at the Point Elizabeth rock referred to 'in your article is composed not of godwits, but of the introduced Starling. For some eighteen years now I have been observing, from time to time, this wonderful sight, and during that period have taken man - visitors and ornithologists out to Rapahoe to see it. The description given by Captain Venn is quite a good one, but it is much in'ore fascinating when seen at close range from the beach at Rapahoe. In my opinion, and in that of all the visitors I have accompanied to witness it, this massing of the starlings each night to roost at Point Elizabeth is one of the most wonderful phenomena known in New Zealand natural history. From about half an lu our before sunset the myriads of birds begin to gather in the air around the rock, the throng being repeatedly reinforced by contingents coming from all points of the compass. None settle however, until the last arrivals have come in, when precisely as the rim of the sun dips below the horizon, they suddenly settle for the night. Pending ( the arrival of the late comers, the myriads of birds go through the most remarkable evolutions (as Captain Venn has noted), dividing into sections, rising in masses with the upper air like huge clouds of smoke, describing spirals like giant water spouts, and generally bewildering one with the military precision of the manoeuvres. This habit of the starlings iof coL

leeting in their thousands for roosting has been noted in many part of thcountry, but as a rule it takes place in tree plantations. At Point Elizabeth the fact that the gathering is on a rook out from shore and silhouetted against the setting sun, greatly enhances the spectacle, which is one I can cordially recommend to all who are interested in natural historv. Wm. McKAY. Greymouth, March 21st.