Experts from China and Russia work together to study and conserve spoon-billed sandpiper

Experts from China and Russia gathered in the Tiaojin Wetlands of Dongtai City to exchange experience in research and conservation of the rare bird, the spoon-billed sandpiper, and to discuss mutual protective measures for its movement from breeding grounds to its main habitats. This is reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

From the Russian side, the event was attended by experts from The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian Society for the Conservation and Study of Birds named after M.A. Menzbier (RSCSP). The Chinese side was represented by specialists from Nanjing University, Beijing Forestry University, Yancheng Pedagogical University and others.

The spoon-billed sandpiper is one of the birds on the verge of extinction. Its population is estimated to be about 600 individuals. Annually, from May to July these birds hatch their chicks on the Chukchi Peninsula and Kamchatka in the Russian Far East, and then fly south along the East Asia-Australia flyway to winter.

During spring and fall migrations, birds of this species usually stop in the Tiaozi Wetlands for almost three months, where more than 200 individuals of these migratory birds were once recorded, and therefore Tiaozi can be called the "second home" of the spoon-billed sandpiper.

Experts are taking all the necessary measures to ensure safety of the birds.

Photo: iStock