Terek Sandpiper

The Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus is a distinctive and elegant wader known for its long, upturned bill and graceful movements. This species has a wide distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, primarily breeding in the boreal and temperate regions of Eurasia and wintering in coastal areas of Africa, South Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Its migration patterns are remarkable, covering vast distances and showcasing the bird’s adaptability to diverse habitats.

Distribution

The Terek Sandpiper breeds in a broad band stretching from Scandinavia and the Baltic region across northern Russia to Siberia and the Russian Far East. Its breeding grounds are typically found in freshwater habitats such as riverbanks, lake edges, and marshes, often in areas with sparse vegetation. These regions provide the ideal conditions for nesting and raising chicks, with abundant food resources like insects, crustaceans, and small aquatic invertebrates.

During the non-breeding season, the Terek Sandpiper migrates to warmer coastal regions. Its wintering range extends across the coasts of East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. In these areas, the species frequents intertidal zones, estuaries, mudflats, and sandy beaches, where it forages for prey in shallow waters. The bird’s preference for coastal habitats during winter makes it a common sight in mangrove forests, lagoons, and tidal creeks.

Migration

The Terek Sandpiper is a long-distance migrant, undertaking one of the most impressive journeys among waders. Its migration typically begins in late summer or early autumn, around July to September, when the birds leave their breeding grounds in northern Eurasia. They travel along well-established flyways, often stopping at key staging sites to rest and refuel. These stopover sites are crucial for the birds to build up energy reserves for the next leg of their journey.

During migration, Terek Sandpipers can be observed in a variety of inland and coastal habitats, including wetlands, rivers, and lakes. They are known to form small flocks during migration, although they are often seen singly or in pairs. The species follows a broadly southward route, with some populations crossing the Indian subcontinent and others moving along the eastern coast of Asia.

By October or November, most Terek Sandpipers arrive at their wintering grounds, where they remain until the following spring. The return migration to breeding areas begins in March or April, with the birds retracing their routes northward. This cyclical migration is driven by the need to exploit seasonal food resources and optimal breeding conditions in the northern latitudes.

Conservation and Challenges

The Terek Sandpiper is currently classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its wide distribution and relatively stable population. However, like many migratory shorebirds, it faces threats from habitat loss, particularly due to coastal development, pollution, and the degradation of wetlands. Climate change also poses a potential risk, as it may alter the availability of suitable breeding and wintering habitats.

Conservation efforts for the Terek Sandpiper focus on protecting critical stopover and wintering sites, as well as maintaining the health of its breeding habitats. International cooperation is essential, given the species’ extensive migratory range and reliance on multiple countries for its survival.