Staff Reporter
Panaji
The first comprehensive waterfowl survey in Goa has brought in good news for bird lovers and ecology conservationists: Pectoral sandpiper – a unique avian species – was sighted at Curtorim wetlands for the
first time.
The Pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) is a small migratory shorebird that breeds in the Arctic tundra of North America and Siberia. Known for its distinctive streaked breast during breeding season, this sandpiper undertakes an incredible annual migration, traversing thousands of miles to its wintering grounds in South America, Australia, and parts of Asia.
The extensive two-month-long survey was conducted across wetlands and mudflats by the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), the Goa Wetland Authority (GWA) and the Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN) to document the avian biodiversity.
The sighting of the Pectoral Sandpiper at Curtorim wetlands is potentially the first record for Goa, highlighting the importance of such surveys in exploring the state’s rich avian diversity.
The Pectoral Sandpiper’s presence underscores the significance of Goa’s wetlands as crucial stopover habitats along the Central Asian Flyway used by migratory birds.
“This is truly an exciting discovery. It is a testament to the value of our wetlands,” said a GSBB official.
“The Pectoral Sandpiper sighting alone justifies the efforts put into this pioneering survey.”
In addition to the rare sandpiper, the survey teams recorded sightings of 19,000 birds belonging to over 200 different species, which were both resident and of migratory varieties.
The data collected will provide invaluable insights into the health of Goa’s wetland ecosystems and aid in shaping targeted conservation strategies.
Conservationists hope that the findings will help bring about increased awareness and efforts to preserve these critical habitats, which face threats from urbanisation, pollution, and climate change. Regular monitoring through such surveys is crucial for ensuring the long-term protection of Goa’s avian heritage.
“Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, and Goa is fortunate to host a wealth of these habitats,” GBCN president Parag Rangnekar said.
“This survey is a significant step towards understanding and safeguarding our feathered visitors and their vital stopover sites,” he said.
Building on this successful inaugural effort, the GSBB, in collaboration with the GWA and the GBCN, plans to conduct these surveys annually, expanding their scope and engaging citizen scientists to create a comprehensive, long-term database of Goa’s waterfowl populations.