Rare Arctic Bird seen in a Tamil Nadu Sanctuary

A rare migratory bird, Red-necked Phalaropus lobatus has been first spotted in the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu. This is an unusual inland stopover which has excited the local birding fraternity and has also brought out the ecological value of the sanctuary.

An Unexpected Stopover

It is an amazing sight considering the fact that this little wader normally inhabits the coastal wetlands in its long voyage to the Southeast Asian coastal area where it breeds. It is a rare occurrence to find it in an inland water body such as Nanjarayan, but indicates that the sanctuary is a valuable, and unexpected, refuge to tired migratory species.

A Unique Spinning Feeder

The Red-necked Phalarope is well known due to the unusual feeding behavior. It whirls on the water surface in a circle forming a miniature whirlpool which causes a commotion of tiny planktons and invertebrates to be caught easily. The plumage is very thick and light in weight, so it can easily rise in the air in the course of this interesting dance.

A Sign of a Healthy Habitat

This find promotes the sanctuary to a high status making the total number of birds recorded in the sanctuary to be 192. It comes after other scarce species, such as the Eurasian Wryneck and Pied Avocet, which bear out the fact that Nanjarayan is an important habitat. Its well being and resources are now being attracted by birds that would otherwise shun such places.

A Boost for Conservation

The fact that this endangered guest made it to the inland wetlands is important in highlighting the need to preserve the wetlands. It increases the ecotourism and the interest of birdwatching in the region that can result in higher conservation rates. Each of these sightings gives useful information and will enable scientists to trace the changes in patterns of migration and the paramount importance of these sanctuaries in an evolving world.