Joann Merritt's Essays

Godwit Birding
July, 1986

Sara wrote about Snowbirding, Betty Rae followed with City Birding and now I’m writing about Godwit Birding - next?

If you have never birded with Father Louis Moeller you have missed a blessing. (A long-time Midnat, Father Moeller is presently living in Eldorado). After attending a church dedication in Odessa, Louis Moeller came by by our house late in the afternoon of May 18th. We knew he was a trusting soul when he readily agreed to go to Cassidy and Soda Lakes - yes, lakes in Midland! - with us. We joined Frances and Harold there for an hour or so of productive birding. What fun to see the Painted Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Sanderlings, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Black-necked Stilts, Avocets, Black Terns and many others. Louis Moeller said the Holy Spirit must have guided him here where he could see and enjoy these good birds. I protested that Don and I were the ones responsible, but he assured me we were only the instruments the Holy Spirit used. Fun, friendship and birds - truly a blessing.

That night I remarked to Don that I would check Soda and Cassidy Lakes closely during the week as Frances thought we had a good chance of more shorebirds coming in, including a Godwit, which I had never seen. Don replied, “You’ve never seen a God Wit? I thought that’s who we had with us this afternoon.” I’ll bet you’ve never been called a God Wit before; Don is one up on you Father Moeller. Come see us again soon.

After ten years as an active Midnat I had never seen a Godwit. During the week of May 18-24 I saw both the Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits. Do you suppose that “just happened”? I prefer to think not!