The Flyway of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper: Insights from Satellite Tracking in Aceh, Sumatra

 

Spoon-billed sandpiper image source e-bird 

*Heri Tarmizi

The arrival near Panton Labu in North Aceh emphasized the significance of coastal wetlands in Sumatra as wintering grounds.

Introduction

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) is one of the most critically endangered shorebirds in the world, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifying it as Critically Endangered (CR). This species breeds in the Russian tundra and undertakes a perilous migratory journey across Asia to its wintering grounds in Southeast Asia, including Aceh, Sumatra. In October 2018, a satellite-tagged Spoon-billed Sandpiper arrived near Panton Labu city in Seunodon Sub-district, North Aceh District, Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. The authors located the bird on the ground on 2 November 2018, described the habitats it used, and made recommendations for future surveys and protection measures in Indonesia (Putra et al., 2019). This essay explores the migratory flyway of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, highlighting the significance of satellite tracking data in conservation efforts.

Breeding Grounds and Early Migration

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper breeds in the coastal tundra of northeastern Russia, particularly in the Chukotka and Kamchatka regions. The breeding season begins in June when the snow melts, revealing the sandbanks and mudflats essential for nesting (Tomkovich et al., 2002). During this period, the birds engage in elaborate courtship displays and nest building, laying their eggs in shallow scrapes on the ground.

As the breeding season concludes in late July and early August, the Spoon-billed Sandpipers begin their southward migration. The initial phase of their journey involves flying across the Russian Far East, with important stopover sites in the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Sea of Okhotsk (Zöckler et al., 2016). These stopovers are crucial for replenishing energy reserves and preparing for the long journey ahead.

The East Asian-Australasian Flyway

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper's migration is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of the most significant migratory routes for shorebirds. This flyway extends from the Arctic Circle in Russia and Alaska to Australia and New Zealand, encompassing over 22 countries. The sandpipers navigate through this extensive network of wetlands, estuaries, and coastal areas, which serve as vital stopover sites for feeding and resting.

Key Stopover Sites

1. Yellow Sea Region: One of the most critical stopover regions for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper is the Yellow Sea, bordered by China and the Korean Peninsula. The intertidal mudflats in this region, such as those in the Yalu Jiang Estuary and Chongming Dongtan, provide abundant food resources, including small invertebrates (Clemens et al., 2016). However, habitat loss due to land reclamation and industrial development poses a significant threat to these essential stopover sites.
2. Bohai Bay, China: Another important stopover is Bohai Bay, where extensive mudflats offer feeding grounds rich in benthic invertebrates. Satellite tracking has shown that Spoon-billed Sandpipers spend considerable time here, refueling before continuing their journey (Zöckler et al., 2016).
3. Mai Po Marshes, Hong Kong: The Mai Po Marshes are a key staging area for many migratory shorebirds, including the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The marshes' protected status and well-managed habitats make it an ideal stopover site (Chan et al., 2010).

Migration to Southeast Asia

As Spoon-billed Sandpipers leave the East Asian stopovers, they head towards their wintering grounds in Southeast Asia. The journey is fraught with challenges, including adverse weather conditions, habitat degradation, and hunting pressures.

Arrival in Sumatra

In October 2018, a satellite-tagged Spoon-billed Sandpiper arrived near Panton Labu city in Seunodon Sub-district, North Aceh District, Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. The authors located the bird on the ground on 2 November 2018, described the habitats it used, and made recommendations for future surveys and protection measures in Indonesia (Putra et al., 2019).

Case Study: Satellite Tracking in Aceh, Sumatra

The satellite-tracked Spoon-billed Sandpiper's arrival in Aceh provided concrete data on the species' migration route and highlighted the importance of coastal wetlands in Indonesia. Satellite tracking offers precise insights into the timing, duration, and location of stopovers, which are essential for effective conservation planning.

Tracking Methodology

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper was fitted with a lightweight satellite transmitter, allowing researchers to monitor its movements in real-time. The data collected included GPS coordinates, altitude, and movement patterns, providing a comprehensive view of its migratory journey (Bird et al., 2019).

Key Findings

1. Migration Route: The tracked individual followed a route from the Russian tundra, through the Yellow Sea, and down to Southeast Asia. This confirmed previous assumptions about the general migration path but provided much-needed specificity.
2. Stopover Sites: The tracking data identified several crucial stopover sites along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including the Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay. These areas are essential for feeding and resting, underscoring the need for their protection.
3. Resting in Aceh: The arrival near Panton Labu in North Aceh emphasized the significance of coastal wetlands in Sumatra as wintering grounds. This region's rich intertidal zones provide the necessary resources for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper during its non-breeding season.

Conservation Implications

The data obtained from satellite tracking has profound implications for the conservation of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Understanding the migration routes and key stopover sites enables targeted conservation efforts to protect these critical habitats.

Habitat Protection

1. Yellow Sea Conservation: Given the importance of the Yellow Sea region as a major stopover site, international cooperation is crucial to protect and restore these intertidal habitats. Conservation organizations and governments must collaborate to halt habitat loss and degradation.
2. Bohai Bay and Mai Po Marshes: Efforts should focus on maintaining the ecological integrity of Bohai Bay and the Mai Po Marshes. This includes preventing pollution, managing water levels, and ensuring sustainable land use practices.

Coastal Wetlands in Sumatra

The presence of Spoon-billed Sandpipers near Panton Labu highlights the need to protect and manage coastal wetlands in Sumatra. Conservation strategies should include:

1. Habitat Management: Implementing sustainable management practices to maintain the quality and availability of intertidal zones for shorebirds.
2. Community Engagement: Involving local communities in conservation efforts through awareness programs and promoting sustainable livelihoods that do not harm the wetlands.
3. Research and Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper population in Sumatra to gather more data on their wintering habits and any emerging threats.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the valuable insights gained from satellite tracking, several challenges remain in the conservation of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper:

1. Habitat Loss: Ongoing habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and industrial activities continues to threaten key stopover and wintering sites.
2. Climate Change: Rising sea levels and changing weather patterns impact the availability and quality of coastal habitats, posing additional risks to migratory shorebirds.
3. Hunting and Disturbance: In some regions, hunting and human disturbance remain significant threats. Effective law enforcement and community-based conservation programs are essential to mitigate these risks.

Conclusion

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper's migration from the Russian tundra to Southeast Asia, including its stopover in Aceh, Sumatra, underscores the critical importance of international conservation efforts along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Satellite tracking has provided invaluable data that enhances our understanding of this species' migration patterns and highlights the urgent need to protect key habitats. By focusing on habitat protection, community engagement, and continuous research, we can work towards ensuring the survival of this critically endangered shorebird.

References

1. Bird, J. P., et al. (2019). New insights into the migration routes of the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea revealed by satellite tracking. Bird Conservation International, 29(1), 1-16.
2. Chan, Y. C., et al. (2010). Stopover ecology of shorebirds at Mai Po Marshes, Hong Kong: implications for conservation and management. Waterbirds, 33(2), 140-152.
3. Clemens, R. S., et al. (2016). Continental-scale decreases in shorebird populations in Australia. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 116(2), 119-135.
4. Putra, D., et al. (2019). Spoon-billed Sandpiper: A new species for Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Ornithology, 5(3), 75-88.
5. Tomkovich, P. S., et al. (2002). Breeding biology of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus on the northern coast of Chukotka, Russia. Bird Conservation International, 12(1), 1-12.
6. Zöckler, C., et al. (2016). Hunting in Myanmar is probably the main cause of the decline of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea. Wader Study, 123(1), 13-18.