RETURN OF GODWITS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1931, Page 9

RETURN OF GODWITS

PLENTIFUL NEAR AUCKLAND. MIGRATION FROM SIBERIA. The godwits, which are among the most widely-known species of migratory birds in the North Island, may now be seen in large numbers on the mudflats of the Kaipara and Manukau harbours, the upper reaches of the Waitemata harbour and the Tamaki estuary, says the New Zealand Herald. The birds are usually comparatively tame, and feed regardless of passers-by until the shooting season for godwits and other waders opens on January 1, when they become very wary. An interesting account of the migration of these birds was given by Mr. R. A. Falla, ornithologist at tbe Auckland Museum. The godwits, accompanied by small waders such as knots, turnstones, sandpipers and golden plovers, arrived in New Zealand about October and returned to Siberia and other Arctic regions about April. A few young godwits remained in New Zealand during the winter, but these did not breed. Some persons thus wrongly thought that the godwit was not migratory, but the birds had probably ibeen making their long annual flights since mythological times. The Maori name for the bird was the kuaka. Mr. Falla said the flights were not non-stop ones, and would probably occupy not less than five weelws. The birds returned to the North to avoid the winter in New Zealand and adjacent islands, and for breeding purposes. The Siberian summer was favourable for nesting, and an abundance of food was available there during that period. The colour of the birds when they arrived in New Zealand was grey, but by the time they left for the Arctic regions the birds assumed a bright chestnut breeding plumage. It would be difficult to carry out banding or ringing tests, on account of the vast spaces which the' birds frequented in Siberia. The Godwit was familiarly referred to as the snipe or curlew, but that was. not strictly correct, said Mr; Falla. The bill of the godwit had an upward curve, whereas, the curlew’s bill curved downward and that of the snipe was straight.