Black-faced Sandpipers Spotted Again in Xiamen

Southeast Net, March 25th (Hai Ke Dao Bao reporter Zeng Yu Shan/Text, provided by Xiamen Bird Watching Association's photo) Amidst the wetland tidal flats, black-billed and snow-white figures can be vaguely seen, sometimes foraging low and sometimes quietly resting. They are called elegant 'Black-faced Sandpipers' . At 9:30 a.m. on the 23rd, members of the Xiamen Bird Watching Association came to Big Qiao Bridge Head to observe waterbirds, and unexpectedly discovered two Black-faced Spoonbills among a group of white egrets.

At high and low tide, Black-faced Spoonbills often forage in the tidal flats. Before high tide on the morning of the 23rd, Xiamen Bird Watching Association member Mr. Ko discovered one Black-faced Spoonbill among a group of white egrets, and soon afterwards discovered another on the opposite bank.

To avoid disturbing the 'Spoonbill', Mr. Ko crawled 20 meters to find the closest appropriate position. 'It's the breeding season for birds, and the Black-faced Spoonbills are growing breeding feathers, with a 'lock of hair' behind their heads and a golden ring around their necks, which is very beautiful.'

It is reported that Black-faced Spoonbills are also known as 'Little Spoonbill', 'Black-faced Spoonbill', 'Spoonbill', and 'Spoonbill' due to their long, black beak resembling a 'Spoon', listed as a second-class national key protected wild animal since 1989, and now is one of the globally endangered bird species.

Notably, seven Black-faced Spoonbills were discovered in the same area at Big Qiao Bridge Head in January last year. The president of the Xiamen Bird Watching Association, Mr. Peng Zhiwei, believes that the consecutive two years of discoveries are not accidental. 'Black-faced Spoonbills are very sensitive to the environment and have high requirements for their habitat. As the ecological environment of Xiamen gradually improves and public awareness of protecting wild birds increases, it allows these rare birds to be undisturbed and more willing to come here.'

How long will they stay in Xiamen beaches? Will they return after migration? Mr. Ko told reporters that there are several Black-faced Spoonbill wintering habitats in the surrounding areas of Xiamen, where they often choose waterways as resting stops to forage and replenish energy. The two they saw may be passing migrants.