A farewell ceremony is being held for Christchurch's two thousand godwits this evening.
The birds feed in Christchurch during the summer, then travel 11,000km to Alaska for breeding.
Ornithologist Andrew Crossland says up to 800 people turn up for the event.
Godwits also leave from estuaries in Manawatu, Miranda, Golden Bay, Otago and Southland.
