Home / Environment / Rare Terek Sandpiper Arrives in Chennai Marshland
Rare Terek Sandpiper Arrives in Chennai Marshland
24 Sep
Summary
- Terek sandpipers, a species breeding in distant Finland, have arrived at Pallikaranai marshland.
- Unusually large numbers of sand plovers and common redshanks were recorded.
- Recent water drainage at the marshland created ideal habitats for wading birds.
Birders in Chennai have a new reason to celebrate as a pair of Terek sandpipers has made their first-ever appearance at the Pallikaranai marshland (PML). This species breeds in distant southern Finland, Russia, and Ukraine, undertaking a journey of thousands of kilometers to spend winters in PML.
Alongside the Terek sandpipers, grey-headed lapwings arrived nearly 20 days ahead of their usual schedule, having traveled from South Korea. The marshland has documented 205 bird species this season, an increase from previous years.
District Forest Officer V A Saravanan noted that recent water drainage at the marshland exposed soft mud, creating an ideal habitat for wading birds. Migratory ducks, including Northern Shoveler and Garganey, have also arrived.
Furthermore, local birdwatchers observed unusually high numbers of common redshanks and sand plovers. Typically found in single digits, about 40 of each species were recorded, raising optimism for an exceptional birdwatching season.
