In October 2023 a bird enthusiast in Kerala, India, made an unexpected discovery – a buff-breasted sandpiper was spotted at Madayipara, in Kannur district of Kerala, South India. What makes this sighting special is the extraordinary journey undertaken by this juvenile bird, covering an unimaginable distance of 12,000 kilometres.
The less-than-one-year-old sandpiper had embarked on a mind-boggling odyssey, from its North American High Arctic dry tundra nesting grounds to the lush grasslands of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
However, somewhere along the way, the bird’s navigational compass must have faltered, or it could have been wind blown from the Great Plains Flyway of North America, and it found itself far off course, landing at Madayipara. The unusual arrival of this avian traveller has left birders and ornithologists astounded.
Migration is a regular phenomenon in the avian world. Some birds typically fly from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. It is driven by a range of factors, including shifts in food availability, changes in habitat, and shifting weather patterns. Genetics also plays a part. Some of the migratory behaviours in birds are inherited, and this can influence when and where they migrate (e.g., white stork and waders, both long-distance migrants).
The incredible long-distance navigational abilities of birds remain a mystery. Birds have a remarkable sense of direction, derived from multiple sources: The sun, which is one of their navigation tools, acts as a compass. Stars, too, play a role. Also, birds possess an innate compass that responds to the earth’s magnetic forces, guiding them on their migratory routes.
Yet, once in a while, things go wrong and a bird can appear far outside its normal range. This phenomenon is called vagrancy. It adds zest and unpredictability to birdwatching.
There are many reasons why a bird might wander far away from its typical range:
1. Storms, especially larger storm fronts
2. Misaligned internal mechanisms, including magnetic sensing
3. Lack of experience in young birds, making the journey more challenging
4. Occasional “hitchhiking” on ships traveling from one continent to another
Buff-breasted sandpipers—very long-distance migrant shorebirds—migrate to warmer climes in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to spend their non-breeding season.
They are tan all over, with light-edged black feathers on their back, wings, and the top of their head, giving them a characteristic scaly appearance. The undersides of their wings are a striking silvery-white.
Unique among North American shorebirds, male buff-breasted sandpipers gather in groups on display territories called “leks”, where they flash their shiny underwings to compete for females’ attention. The females visit the lek, choose a male (or more than one), and then build a nest and raise their young on their own.
The buff-breasted sandpiper was previously sighted at Madayipara (Kerala) in November 2011. And in Australia it has been sighted on at least eight occasions.
What makes Madayipara a haven for birders? Madayipara, a plateau situated in the picturesque landscape of Kerala, is intersected by the watersheds of three rivers (Kuppam, Ramapuram, and Perumba), with the Arabian Sea and the Ezhimala hill standing in proximity. Of the 500 bird species found in Kerala, 182 have been documented in Madayipara. Notably, this plateau has been the first site of discovery in Kerala for at least 12 species. Among the avian residents, approximately 45 species are migratory, many commencing their journey from this very plateau. Not only does this place serve as a transit hub for these passage migrants, it also offers a temporary refuge during monsoons, where many long-distance migratory birds take shelter without having to return to their native lands.
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