Bird missing from South Australia unexpectedly spotted in China
A bird known to frequent South Australia that has been missing for years has been spotted again in China.
According to Birdlife Australia, Bar-tailed Godwits often stop in Australia to recuperate at the country’s mudflats during their 11,000km journey from Alaska to New Zealand.
Bar-tailed Godwits have previously resided at Thompson Beach near Adelaide, and one particular bird, dubbed Go-Go Godwit, was tagged by volunteers in 2012 so his journey could be tracked.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports the bird was last spotted in China in 2015 and people feared the bird had died.
But wildlife photographer Adrian Boyle recently found Go-Go at Nanpu on Bohai Bay in China, and could identify him by the yellow tag around his leg.
Bar-tailed Godwits usually complete the 11,000km journey in just eight days at speeds of up to 50km/h.
According to Birdlife Australia, Bar-tailed Godwits are record holders for non-stop flight.
The birds also lose half their body weight during the flight.
Birdlife Australia says the Bar-tailed Godwits arrive in Australia usually around August.
They are mainly found around coastal areas of Australia and spotted in large flocks.
