BIRDS BACK: Christchurch New Zealand is celebrating the return of godwits, back from an 11,000km migration.

Godwits back in New Zealand

NZPA

Last updated 11:47 02/10/2010

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DAVE HALLETT

Christchurch Cathedral bells have rung out to mark the end of the world's longest migration.

The first bar-tailed godwits to finish their more than 11,000km journey from Alaska have been spotted on Canterbury's Avon-Heathcote estuary.

About 2000 more were expected to land over the next few weeks. 

The bells were rung from midday today to welcome the birds to their wintering home.

The Alaska Science Centre used satellite telemetry to follow the migrations of the godwits in 2007 and 2008, confirming the godwits as the longest non-stop fliers for a land bird.

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Isn't that incredible! 11,000 Km!

Cheers for now,
Allan