About

Come farewell Christchurch’s iconic and much-loved visitors, the Bar-tailed Godwits, as they start their long trip back to Alaska.

The champion long-distance flying birds are seen off towards the end of summer with a brief and informative ceremony at the Southshore Spit. The Godwit makes the longest non-stop flight known for any bird and also the longest journey without pausing to feed by any animal – more than 11,000 km along a route from Alaska to Christchurch.

After resting up and filling out under the protection of parks rangers and bird lovers in Christchurch, the birds are ready to return to their Alaskan breeding grounds. This unique and very special event is presented by the Christchurch City Council, its Regional Park Rangers team and the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust.

BYO binoculars. Free BBQ sausages.

No dogs please.

Catch route 5 bus or limited off street parking available.