Birding in Geneva : 2 Bar-tailed Godwits in Parc des Eaux-Vives!
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) in Parc des Eaux-Vives, Geneva.
Living in Geneva, we know that each migration can bring some great birding surprises. Seeing 2 Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) in Parc des Eaux-Vives is definitely a fantastic one! These birds are migration heroes.
"Recent research reveals that some individuals from the East Asia/Australasia Flyway population made a nonstop flight of over 11,000 km, the longest continuous journey that has ever been recorded for a landbird." @Birdlife
Birds from the European population have shorter journeys between Africa and Europe. Still thousands of kilometers! These 2 individuals are their on their way down to Africa where they will spend winter.
The 2 Bar-tailed Godwits together.
Spotted for the first time on September 21 referring to ornitho.ch, they are still here a week after. Many local birders have seen them by now, and they do not seem to bother at all. They spend their time between Parc des Eaux-Vives and Baby Plage, feeding on insects, worms and crustaceans.
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) stretching.
Seeing this species for the first time, i felt lucky to approach them knowing I was not disturbing them. I really appreciated the beauty of their plumage as well as their beautiful long pinkish bill. I hope they do not feel in a hurry to leave because I would really love to see them once again.
Love Nature.
Jonathan
