Once again the migratory birds, the Godwits are arriving in New Zealand from Alaska. They arrive in groups, usually the second or third week in September. Because of the earthquake damage to the Cathedral, Christchurch cannot ring the Cathedral bells to welcome the Godwits. Instead, eight bell ringers rang the bells at a church in the suburb of Papanui. The church is damaged but the bell tower is OK. The bells are similar to the ones that were in the Cathedral.
Christchurch has 23 migratory birds visiting during the summer. The Godwits are unusual because they have travelled such a long distance without stopping. They like tidal beaches with mud flats or river estuaries where they can find food in the mud.
Listen to February 20th 2011 to hear about the departure of the Godwits. Also Sept 21st 2010 has more information about the Godwits.
Vocabulary
Migratory is the adjective from migrate – to move from one country to another. The nouns – immigrant and immigration – are related words.
Tidal – areas of a beach where there is big difference between high and low tide.
Mud flats – some beaches have long, flat areas of mud at low tide.
Estuary – a river mouth where the river goes into the sea. It is tidal.
Grammar
Note “the same as” but “similar to” e.g. A is similar to B; these are similar to those.
“The bells are similar to the ones…” means similar to “the bells”. Instead of repeating the noun, “the ones” is a pronoun that is used instead of the noun. e.g. These things are similar to the ones we had before. This car is similar to the one I used to have.