Sunday, December 18, 2011

Operation Spoonie

Meeting one of the world's most threatened bird species - Spoon-billed Sandpiper - that is hurtling towards extinction with fewer than 100 breeding pairs.

These birds breed in the remote north-eastern area of Russia on the coastal tundra. During winter these tiny birds fly 8,000 km to South and Southeast Asia. They are threaten due to habitat loss at their breeding ground and wintering range. The BBC reported that 13 spoon-billed sandpipers will be housed at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) reserve in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire to start a breeding program in an attempt to save the species.
Four individuals were spotted at Pak Thale Saltpans and we went there to meet these critically endangered birds. 

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