Gurgaon: A rare migratory shorebird, the long-billed dowitcher, was sighted at Chandu Budhera wetland on Sunday during a routine bird walk. This is possibly the 13th documented occurrence of the species in India.The bird was spotted by a group of around 10 birdwatchers, including Kavi Nanda, Nikhil Devasar, Uday Kiran and Rohit Sharma, who were scanning a shallow water patch for waders. “We initially thought it could be a godwit because of structural similarity, but the completely straight, dark bill (beak) stood out,” Nanda said.He explained that, unlike the commonly seen black-tailed godwit, which has a slightly upturned, dual-coloured bill, this bird showed a straight, entirely dark bill, a key field marker for dowitchers. The identification was further confirmed by its greenish legs, distinguishing it from the Asian dowitcher.The bird was seen feeding alongside other waders, including ruffs, and only a single bird was spotted.Birders said this is the first confirmed sighting in the city in over a decade. “The species was last recorded in Haryana in Sonipat in July 2020, and earlier at Sultanpur National Park in March 2013,” said Pankaj Gupta, adding that recent inputs also point to a sighting at Maguri Beel in Assam earlier this year.Experts believe the bird is likely on reverse migration. “At this time, many birds are heading back to their breeding grounds in Siberia and Central Asia. This individual was probably stopping over to refuel,” Nanda said.The long-billed dowitcher typically breeds in Siberia and winters in North America, making its presence in India unusual. Birders say such vagrancy (migratory birds straying from their usual routes and appearing in unexpected places) may occur when individuals mix with flocks of other migratory species.The species was also reported earlier this year from Maguri Beel in Assam, where an individual was observed for nearly a month, indicating sporadic, rare appearances along migratory pathways.Birdwatchers said the sighting underscores the ecological importance of wetlands like Chandu Budhera as critical stopover habitats, even as urban pressure continues to fragment such ecosystems.
