31 March 2026 - 8 am
The godwits are still on the estuary this morning. Interesting to see AJD, the other coloured male, and their two large female companions together, washing and preening in the river, just below Beach Road end. These are the same four that attempted migration on Sunday night. The wind is forecast to turn to the southeast this afternoon, perfect for migration. We plan to be there by 5:00 pm this evening, as with good conditions, they won't delay migrating.
30 March 2026 - 7:30 pm
No migration tonight, although late in the evening they were calling somewhat. A north wind was unrelenting, especially felt when at the estuary. So, it has to be tomorrow night, with a perfect south wind forecast for tomorrow from 10:00 am. Thanks to all who come each evening hoping to see a migration. Tomorrow has to be the day, six days late, meaning six days less on their stopover in the Yellow Sea.
30 March 2026 - 8:00 am
The group of 15 this morning was resting on the shore, just below Beach Road. Included were the two coloured males, one being AJD. Their late departure will mean less time for feeding in the Yellow Sea, before moving on to Alaska. I plan to check the estuary again this evening, around 5:30 pm.
29 March 2026 - 7:00 pm
What a great night at the estuary, enjoyed by a good number of people. Jane & I arrived at 6:00 pm, to the sound of calling godwits, much more animated than last night. A group of four, two males & two females, were participating in the pre-migration activities, bathing, preening, walking around agitated, constantly uttering their migration calls, and making several test flights around the estuary. At 6:40 pm the group of four, plus one other, lifted, and headed down the river, rising high, and disappearing out to sea, out of sight. A little way down the river one of the birds peeled off to the left and returned. BUT - 10 minutes later the four birds returned, very similar to what they did last year. We can only assume that once out to sea they got a feel for the weather, and did not like what they felt, and thought better of going. However, all in all, it was a wonderful experience for all to witness, and we all came away happy. Peter Frost, a local scientist, has studied the weather maps and predicts that Tuesday will bring favourable winds for migration. So, he may be right. Never before has AJD and his fellows delayed so long in leaving on migration, but better to delay than head into impossible weather.
29 March 2026 - 7:30 am
An estuary check at 7:30 am found all our kuaka still present (15), resting on the river's shore at high tide. They did not migrate last night. Two years ago, they migrated on 29 March, due to bad weather in previous days. So, something is delaying their departure, only they know. The migration calls last evening tell us that migration is certainly in their thoughts. Today's weather looks good, so I'll check again this evening, around 6 pm. I'll post another update after that.
28 March 2026 - 7:00 pm
A beautiful evening on the estuary and a good group of people there to see AJD and other kuaka migrate. From 5:00 pm the birds were uttering their migration call, especially one coloured male. There was a north wind, but as the evening progressed, the wind fell. The birds moved around several parts of the estuary, and unfortunately, they had not migrated by the time we left, after 7:00 pm. It was getting dark, so not much point in staying on any longer. We'll check early in the morning, once daylight, to see if in fact they did migrate tonight. Below is a picture of AJD tonight, making his migration call.
28 March 2026 - 8:30 am
The godwits were still on the river this morning, enjoying the glorious day that it is. We found 17 godwits, with just two coloured males, one being AJD. We plan to check again this evening at around 5 pm.
27 March 2026 - 6:00 pm
A group gathered at the estuary this evening to see if the kuaka might leave on migration, but by 6:00 pm they were showing no signs of migration. There were 20 godwits present, scattered along the estuary. A picture of AJD below taken around 6 pm. We will check again in the morning at around 8:30 am, in case they slipped away during the night.
27 March 2026 - 8:30 am
We checked the estuary at 8:30 am and 15 kuaka were out feeding on the mud. I donned my gumboots to get closer to AJD and what a great morning to be there watching everything he was doing. The photo below shows his head in the mud - no wonder they need a bath so often. The weather is improving so tonight is possible for a migration. I plan to check again around 5 pm.
26 March 2026 - 9:30 am
We checked the estuary this morning and found AJD and other kuaka feeding out on the estuary. Weather north of us is bad, so the birds certainly won't leave yet.
25 March - 6:00 pm
A large gathering of folks were there this evening at the Sailing Club for the 'Farewell to the Godwits, thanks to all who attended. Several spoke on the godwits including a group of eight from South Korea, and one from Alaska. By 5:30 pm, as the tide receded, the godwits had come down to below the Sailing Club, and through spotting scopes, most were able to clearly see AJD. We expected the godwits would migrate tonight, but they were showing no signs going, most likely because they sensed a large storm that by this evening was only 150 kms north of us. They will wait the bad weather out, and then go, so it could be as late as Saturday, depending entirely on the weather. Below is a photo of AJD taken this afternoon, looking beautiful in his Alaskan dress. I will keep you posted over the next few days.
25 March 2026 - 8:00 am
We checked the estuary at 8:00 am and happy to report that AJD and his kuaka friends were way out on the estuary feeding. So, it looks good for a migration tonight. A possible hinderance is that there is bad weather developing further north, and the birds may sense this. So, we look forward to seeing you at the "Farewell to the Kuaka/Godwits" event at the Sailing Club area, from 4:00 pm today. The building mural of the kuaka is looking great, with more added daily, as the work progresses.
24 March 2026
A brief note to let all know that AJD is still here today, looking settled.
23 March 2026
Great to find again AJD on the estuary this morning, feeding non-stop, in preparation for the migration that is now close. A good number of people there to see him, including the first five of a contingent from South Korea, all getting good views through the scope. The settled weather continues, and we are hoping it stays that way for another couple of days.
21 March 2026
Another beautiful morning, and happy to report that AJD, and his friends, are still on the estuary. Again, an hour before high tide they flew south to wait out high tide. We did not get very close this morning, as dogs kept moving them along.
20 March 2026
Good views again this morning of AJD, from the Sailing Club area at 9:45 am. I counted 19 godwits, but there could have been more. An hour before the 3 m high tide all the godwits flew south over the airport, to rest somewhere until the tide recedes.
We were thrilled this morning to find two young black-fronted terns on the estuary, a rare bird for Whanganui.
19 March 2026
An update on the Whanganui kuaka/godwit. We were at the estuary at 9:15 am, and found 21 godwits, including the five very coloured males, AJD one of them. Just six days to go now (we hope) until migration.
Exciting to see Yasmin Dupont starting this morning on the huge, detailed mural on the end of the Sailing Club building. This is something to look forward to seeing, I’ve seen the design for it.
Below is a poster from the Korean Team, who plan to be here for the farewell.
18 March 2026
Another beautiful day, and this morning we checked the estuary for godwits and found just 12, down from 20 yesterday. Migrations are under way. AJD was there and a photo of him this morning is below, as he left the estuary to head south for high tide. Good to have some extra people there to catch a glimpse of the godwits.
The mural that is to be painted on the Sailing Club building is to start shortly, a very impressive piece of work it will be, judging by the pre-view I've had.
There is a film to be screened by our Korean visitors on Monday night, at 6 pm, at the Duncan Pavillion, all are welcome. A brief description about it was given me:
The film is called “Sura: a love story” a feature length documentary of the decades long advocacy of community groups in Korea to protect the Sura tidal flats, important feeding habitat for migratory birds.
