The Christchurch City Council is asking people to keep their dogs under control around coastlines as tired Godwits start to return.

The first influx of the birds were spotted on Sunday, with up to 2000 expected in the next few weeks.

Each year the bar-tailed Godwits fly more than 11,000km over eight days from Alaska to set up camp in Canterbury.

Council Park Ranger Andrew Crossland says they're asking people walking their dogs to be particularly careful around the coastline where the birds will being nesting.