It is from mid-September each year that the godwits arrive back in NZ from their northern migration, to north and western Alaska. I witnessed a returning group of five at the Whanganui River Estuary, on September 15, with some birds showing droopy wings. After a non-stop journey of nearly 12,000 kms it is no wonder they are thin, tired, and with droopy wings. They soon were feeding feverishly and within hours their wings were back to normal.
