Why in news?
Birdwatchers on Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago reported spotting a tagged Sanderling that had flown over 7,400 kilometres from South Australia. The tiny shorebird, weighing less than 100 grams, was tagged in April 2025 and photographed in June 2025 during its migration. The re‑sighting, confirmed by the Bombay Natural History Society, highlights the extraordinary endurance of migratory birds.
Background
The Sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small, plump wading bird known for its pale winter plumage and brick‑red facial markings in summer. The species breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates to coastlines across the world, including North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Sanderlings follow complete migratory routes spanning 3,000–10,000 kilometres, stopping at sandy beaches, mudflats and lagoon shores to rest and feed on small invertebrates.
The Narcondam sighting
- Tagging and route: The bird in question was tagged near Brown Bay in South Australia on 13 April 2025. It reached Narcondam Island on 16 June 2025, covering 7,472 kilometres in just over two months on its way back to Arctic breeding grounds.
- Significance of Narcondam: Narcondam is a remote volcanic island about 140 nautical miles from Port Blair. Known for the endemic Narcondam hornbill, the island’s undisturbed beaches and mudflats serve as a crucial stopover on the East Asia–Australasia Flyway, a migratory path used by millions of waterbirds.
- Importance for research: Resightings of tagged birds help scientists map migratory corridors and identify key habitats that need protection. Data from this Sanderling highlight the role of tiny islands as refuelling stations during long journeys.
About Sanderlings
- Appearance: In winter Sanderlings appear almost white with a dark shoulder patch; during the breeding season their head and throat turn reddish.
- Habitat preferences: They forage on open sandy beaches, tidal flats and the edges of lakes and rivers, probing the sand with their bills for small crabs, worms and insects.
- Migratory prowess: These birds undertake some of the longest nonstop flights among shorebirds. They accumulate fat reserves before migration to sustain them over ocean crossings.
Conservation message
Although the Sanderling is currently listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, its reliance on coastal stopovers means it is vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution and disturbance. Protecting wetlands and pristine island ecosystems like Narcondam ensures that migratory birds have safe places to rest and feed on their long journeys.
Conclusion
The remarkable journey of a single Sanderling from Australia to the Andaman Islands captures the imagination and underscores the need for international cooperation to conserve migratory bird habitats along the East Asia–Australasia Flyway.
Source: The Times of India