The Whanganui River Estuary is not highly regarded for rare birds, but it is surprising what can turn up when checked often. The best birding spots are those close to home, that we can visit often. A young whimbrel has been here for 10 days now, associating with a group of 27 young godwits. Likely, by now, he thinks he is a godwit. Whimbrels are renown to be nervous birds, flying when you are still distant. However, this bird has been very approachable, enabling us to get some great pictures.
