Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable turn of events, birdwatchers in Odisha have successfully located a whimbrel, named Merlène, which was satellite-tagged on Réunion Island in the southern Indian Ocean. This discovery is part of an international effort to track and understand the migratory patterns of these extraordinary birds.
Merlène’s journey began March 7, when she was equipped with a GPS tag at Réunion Island, her wintering site. After spending a month in Mauritius, she embarked on her northward pre-breeding migration, making significant stopovers in Socotra and the Indus River delta in Pakistan before arriving in India.
Chhattisgarh birdwatchers reported the sighting first May 20, generating excitement among ornithologists and bird enthusiasts worldwide. Merlène was taking a stopover at a small pond north of Bhilai, enduring the extreme daytime temperatures of 48°C.
Now, the bird has crossed over to Odisha and has been seen at the mouth of Rushikulya by local conservationist Rabindra Nath Sahu. The operation was coordinated by Bhubaneswar-based birdwatcher Panchami Manoo Ukil.
Merlène’s migration is part of the French Office for Biodiversity’s LIMOIO project, aimed at studying the ecology and conservation of migrating waders in the western Indian Ocean. This project provides valuable insights into the habitats and migration routes of these birds.
“Tracking Merlène’s journey is truly fascinating,” said Mathieu, the lead researcher on the project. “We are thrilled to share this incredible story and hope it raises awareness about the importance of migratory bird conservation.”
Birdwatchers and enthusiasts across India are encouraged to keep an eye out for Merlène and other colour-flagged whimbrels. Merlène has a yellow tag with the code ‘AM’ on her right leg and a green ring on her left leg.
This discovery not only highlights the arduous journeys these birds undertake but also emphasises the importance of international cooperation in wildlife conservation.
Merlène’s journey is far from over, as she is expected to continue her migration to her breeding grounds in northern Siberia. Scientists and bird watchers are excitingly sharing predictions on what Merlène will do next. Will it fly north crossing the Himalayas or will it stay in rich habitats of Odisha for some more time! Impending climatic disturbances in the Bay of Bengal might also make the bird stay for a longer duration on our coasts. Initiatives like this have proven effective in the past, creating excitement and interest in migratory birds.
PNN