Rajkot: A male Eurasian whimbrel named Mat, currently undertaking an extraordinary transcontinental migration, has been recorded near Ghoghla in the Union Territory of Diu, reaffirming the ecological significance of Gujarat’s coastline as a crucial stopover for migratory shorebirds along the Central Asian Flyway.The bird was spotted by Jigar Patel, a field biologist at the Fudam Bird Sanctuary, during routine monitoring of the intertidal wetlands. Patel confirmed that the bird’s location precisely matched real-time global satellite-tracking data, making the observation particularly significant for migratory bird research.“Mat’s remarkable journey began after he was fitted with a satellite transmitter by ornithologist Matthieu Le Corre on Europa Island in the southern Mozambique Channel in Sept 2025,” Patel said. “After spending the winter there, the bird began its northward migration in April 2026.”Satellite data show that Mat made several critical stopovers in Somaliland, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan before reaching his breeding grounds in central Russia. The bird’s current presence in Diu marks another important stage in an annual migration that spans three continents.Patel said Diu hosts around 80 to 90 Eurasian whimbrels every year during migration and winter. While the species regularly visits the island, individual birds are difficult to identify because they are rarely tagged. “Since Mat carries a satellite transmitter, researchers were able to confirm his presence in Diu and document the sighting with photographs,” he said.The observation of an individually tracked migratory bird provides valuable scientific insights. It enables researchers to validate satellite-tracking data and better understand migration timing, stopover behaviour, habitat use and connectivity across international flyways.The sighting also underscores Diu’s growing importance within the global migratory bird network and highlights the need for continued conservation and scientific monitoring of its coastal wetlands to ensure safe feeding and resting habitats for migratory shorebirds.Apart from whimbrels, Diu supports a rich diversity of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl each year. Its varied coastal habitats — including mudflats, sandy beaches, mangroves, intertidal marshes and rocky shorelines — provide abundant invertebrate prey, secure roosting sites and ideal foraging grounds. These productive ecosystems enable migratory birds to replenish energy reserves before continuing their long journeys between breeding and wintering grounds.
