This page is not a current Christchurch City Council document. Please read our disclaimer.
 |
12 December 2000 |
Warning Given About Godwit Worrying
Godwits can be hassled by people and dogs at Southshore at this time of year and the Christchurch City Council’s Coast Care has issued a warning about the practice.
These wading birds, which arrive from the Arctic Circle in Siberia from the third week in September, are fattening themselves on food in the Estuary to prepare for their 10,000km return flight in March for breeding.
Coast Care’s Kay Holder says that people should know that they cause stress when they hassle the birds. This, in turn, can cause the birds to become exhausted when they fly to Siberia.
In March and April many will be ready to fly north and excited flocks circle above the Estuary in preparation for their long flight. Those that survive are back in the Arctic by May.
Not all godwits leave. The young that are not ready to breed (from 150 to 350 birds) stay for the New Zealand winter.
After breeding, the cycle begins again and more than 2000 birds will arrive at the Estuary from the third week in September.
Ms Holder says that at some tides godwits can be seen resting around the Southshore Spit and people often disturb them not realising what harm they can do to the birds.
“People walk through flocks or let dogs run among them. We have to ask the public not to hassle them as they are resting and getting fat for their flights to Siberia,” she says.
“If they are stressed before they leave they will die on the flight to Siberia. If the godwits are seen it’s fine to walk quietly past them and to have dogs on leads,” she says.
The president of the Friends of the Estuary, Roger Lusby, also voiced his concern about the hassling of the birds.
Further information: Kay Holder: 025 201 5657 and Roger Lusby: 326 5373.