Guangdong Discovers 34 Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers

Written/Photographed by Yangcheng Evening News Media Group Reporter Zhang Aili, Correspondents Lin Yin

In March, the weather is warming up, which is the season when a large number of migratory birds return north. Recently, a large number of in Guangdong, either spending the winter or transiting, have been foraging and replenishing energy in Guangdong nature reserves, sending out signals of return. On the 25th, the Yangcheng Evening News Media Group learned from the Guangdong Provincial Forestry Department that recently, 34 critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers were discovered in the Zhanjiang Red-Mangrove National Nature Reserve. This is the second time in Zhanjiang coastal wetlands have been discovered to a large number of endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers.

Monitoring personnel found that 34 Spoon-billed Sandpipers were gathering for food on the beaches of the Zhanjiang Red-Mangrove National Nature Reserve. Among the flock of Spoon-billed Sandpipers, 10 with tracking codes were identified, and they have been staying for a whole winter. In particular, one light green 87 Spoon-billed Sandpiper, was first discovered in the autumn last year and, until recently, has stayed in the reserve for a total of 179 days. There was also a light green M4 Spoon-billed Sandpiper, has been making a long journey every winter since 2016, always arriving on time, never missing a beat. Monitoring personnel at the protection area said: 'This coastal wetland in Zhanjiang has such a large number, almost accounting for 10% of the global Spoon-billed Sandpiper population, which is very rare.'

Industry experts said that Spoon-billed Sandpipers are very sensitive to the environment and have very high requirements for habitat. In recent years, the number of Spoon-billed Sandpipers recorded in Guangdong coastal wetlands has gradually increased, which is an important reflection of the success of Guangdong's new round of Greening Guangdong Action and the construction of various wetland parks.