Did you know that around 75,000 godwits fly for 11,000kms at speeds of around 50 km/hr, and altitudes of 3 – 6km above the sea, with practically no landmarks to guide them to return from the Arctic for our southern summer?
These amazing shore waders, the kuaka, were tightly flocked on the sandbanks of the Manukau when we visited them on Sunday afternoon. Their departure is likely in the coming 4-5 weeks so you still have time to call on them – any high tide they rest for a few hours, and then as tides recede, spread out over the mudflats to continue their feasting and fattening before their departure to breed on the Alaskan tundra.
Beulah Wood convened our group and guided us to excellent viewing spots, and the birds treated us to a splendid “murmuration” (swirling crowd flight). We also identified spur-winged plovers, caspian terns, pied stilts, royal spoonbills, lesser knots, dotterels, as well as the varieties of herons, oystercatchers and gulls we recognise more readily.
I shared this karakia written that morning which we used to wish the godwits well….
~ a benediction
for the throng of GODWITS
as they depart the Manukau Harbour ~
As the time to leave draws near –
May the low tides give you nourishment and the high tides give you rest;
May the calls of oystercatchers, knots and stilts continue to befriend and encourage you;
Some of you, the young and the very old, will be staying; most of you will be flying, breeding, returning;
some of you will not make it: whatever your lot may you be at peace.
May your flight northwards be timely and safe;
May you be guided by Equinox, Southern Cross and warm winds;
May your mating, nesting, and rearing of chicks be free of predators and full of good weather;
May the Alaskan tundra be a generous habitat.
May plumes of toetoe and banks of harakeke welcome you back in September: we too will wait expectantly!
May the Earth-maker, Creator God, go before you and behind you
as you play your part in the vast ecosystem that is our planet.
May you all fare well.
