Departing Godwits

[Ian McHenry]

Here in New Zealand I understand that some Bar Tailed Godwits have already left for the long flight back to Siberia and North West America.
Good time to see them in breeding plumage if you're near an estuary.
Ian Mc

[Tony Whitehead]

Hi Ian,
I was up at Miranda again on Saturday and they are definitely colouring up well - a lot more than when I was last there 2 weeks ago. They were unfortunately not too co-operative. Wrybills were great - spent a couple of hours within a metre of two of a huge flock

[Ian McHenry]

Hi Tony
Wrybills are one of my favourites for bird pix but high river levels down here have meant a poor season on the Ashley River.
Maybe a post on Avian Wild & Free from you of this neat bird ?
LOL.
Ian Mc
http://www.pbase.com/ianmc

[Ian McHenry]

Was down @ Southshore, Christchurch yesterday and quite a few Bar-tailed Godwits in breeding dress.
Here is a picture of a few roosting.
Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

Two satellite tagged godwits latest sighting south of New Caledonia on their way to Alaska.
If you want to follow their progress here is url: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/shorebirds/barg_updates.html
Ian Mc

[Brian Strong]

Thanks for the satellite info Ian. Couldn't find my notes on it. I'll be visiting Travis Wetland this week if the weather holds up. Brian

[Brian Strong]

This address for the tagged godwits seems to work a bit better. On website click on Godwit updates in the left menu to see latest positions of the migrating birds. http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/shorebirds/barg.html Brian

[Ian McHenry]

Thanks Brian for url.
I see the birds were approaching China as at 24 March.
There have been recent sightings of a Black-fronted Dotterel near the visitors centre @ Travis but I haven't seen it.
Also Cape Barren Goose and Glossy Ibis.

[Brian Strong]

OK on the Glossy Ibis. I've been chasing that one since last year but the only times I've seen it were beyond my lens for any detail. Are you living in Redwood? Like to give you a call sometime but this is too public for phone numbers. Brian

[Ian McHenry]

Hi Brian
I'll drop you an Email thro' this forum.

[Jason Elsworth]

I was a Foxton Beach about ten days ago and there were a number of birds in breeding plumage as well as some magnificent looking Pacific Golden Plovers. Will post some shots some time.