Bar-tailed godwit, Eurasian oystercatcher spotted in sanctuary

Researchers studying the behaviour and feeding habits of shorebirds at Kadalundi have found the presence of Bar-tailed godwit and Eurasian oystercatcher in the sanctuary. Both of them were found in pairs, giving fresh hope to researchers of the return of several rare migrant species to Kadalundi.

These birds are migrant waders and have been listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as near-threatened species. Sujesh P.K., who studies the shorebirds reaching Kadalundi, said both of them, particularly Bar-tailed godwit, were rarely found on the Kerala coast.

Mr. Sujesh said he had found a pair of Bar-tailed godwit and Eurasian oystercatcher at Kadalundi after several years.

Longest flights

“Bar-tailed godwit, known for its longest non-stop flights of migration from the coldest regions in winter, has re-emerged in Kadalundi after so many years. It is a welcome sign,” he said.

Mr. Sujesh, who has been monitoring the shorebirds reaching Kadalundi after inter-continental flights, said the number of terns and gulls has reduced considerably over the years. “What we need is continuous monitoring,” he said.

A hearty sign

The researchers found a pair of Bar-tailed godwit on the sandbed and a pair of Eurasian oystercatcher on the mudflats. “Bar-tailed godwit was also sighted near Kappad recently. It’s a hearty sign that such rare birds are choosing the south-western Indian coast for wintering,” he said.

K.M. Aarif, who had conducted studies on shorebirds reaching Kadalundi for over a decade, said he had found 97 Bar-tailed godwits at Kadalundi in 2005. He said Eurasian oystercatchers were rare at Kadalundi.

“I had found a pair of them each in 2007 and 2008. But after 2010, both these birds began to stay away from Kadalundi,” said Dr. Aarif.

Scavengers

Mr. Sujesh said the presence of scavengers like crows and predators like kites was posing a threat to the migrant visitors in the estuarine sanctuary. “Kites frequently shoo away the visitors. That’s a matter for concern from a conservationist’s point of view,” he said.