May 23rd 2024.
In an incredible twist of events, a group of bird enthusiasts in the eastern Indian state of Odisha have successfully located a whimbrel, known as Merlène, that was fitted with a satellite tag on Réunion Island in the southern Indian Ocean. This remarkable discovery is part of a larger international effort to track and understand the migratory patterns of these magnificent creatures.
Merlène's journey began on March 7, when she was equipped with a GPS tag at her wintering site on Réunion Island. After spending a month in Mauritius, she began her northward pre-breeding migration, making important stopovers in Socotra and the Indus River delta in Pakistan before finally arriving in India.
Excitement among ornithologists and bird lovers worldwide was sparked on May 20 when birdwatchers in the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh reported spotting Merlène at a small pond north of Bhilai, where she was enduring extreme daytime temperatures of 48°C. The news of her presence quickly spread, and now she has been sighted at the mouth of Rushikulya by local conservationist Rabindra Nath Sahu, thanks to the coordination efforts of Bhubaneswar-based birdwatcher Panchami Manoo Ukil.
Merlène's incredible migration is part of the French Office for Biodiversity's LIMOIO project, which aims to study the ecology and conservation of migrating waders in the western Indian Ocean. This project has provided valuable insights into the habitats and migration routes of these birds, and the researchers are thrilled to be able to share Merlène's journey with the world.
Lead researcher Mathieu expressed his excitement, saying, "Tracking Merlène's journey is truly fascinating. We are delighted to share this incredible story and hope it raises awareness about the importance of conserving migratory birds."
Birdwatchers and enthusiasts across India are now urged to keep an eye out for Merlène and other color-flagged whimbrels. Merlène can be identified by the yellow tag with the code 'AM' on her right leg and a green ring on her left leg.
This discovery not only highlights the incredible feats these birds undertake during their migrations but also emphasizes 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 eagerly making predictions about what Merlène will do next. Will she fly north, crossing the Himalayas? Or will she stay in the rich habitats of Odisha for a while longer? There is also the possibility that she may have to stay on the coast for a longer period due to impending climatic disturbances in the Bay of Bengal. Initiatives like this have proven to be effective in the past, generating excitement and interest in migratory birds and their conservation.
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