On Monday morning, tour operator and wildlife photographer Sandip Nagare was birdwatching at the Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary near Bhigwan in Pune district when he spotted a pair of Indian Skimmers — a species listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List
The Indian Skimmer spotted at Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary. PIC/SANDIP NAGARE
An endangered Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) was recently sighted at Bhigwan near Pune by a local naturalist and wildlife photographer — a rare occurrence that has generated excitement among bird enthusiasts in the region.
On Monday morning, tour operator and wildlife photographer Sandip Nagare was birdwatching at the Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary near Bhigwan in Pune district when he spotted a pair of Indian Skimmers — a species listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The Indian Skimmer is primarily found along the banks of the Chambal River, its known breeding habitat. During the non-breeding season, it migrates to coastal wetlands and mudflats.
Speaking with mid-day, Nagare said, “These birds are usually seen near the Chambal River, where they also nest. In 2016-17, we had sighted three Indian Skimmers here, and another individual was seen in 2022 at the same location." Nagare believes the birds may have stopped at Bhigwan as part of their passive migration.
According to datazone.birdlife.org, the Indian Skimmer is listed as ‘endangered’ due to decades of population decline. Its global population is small, with a continued decline of over 20 per cent in the last 11 years (two generations). The website states, “Fluctuating river water levels caused by dams, irrigation, and sand mining have led to flooding of colonies and low water levels, making nests vulnerable to predators and human interference.”
The platform adds, “The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is now almost entirely restricted to India as a breeding species, with only occasional breeding reports from western Bangladesh. There have been no recent confirmed breeding records from Pakistan or Myanmar.” Naturalist and wildlife photographer Mahesh Yadav said, “It is indeed a rare sighting, as the species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Bhigwan is an important stopover for many migratory birds. This sighting underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts.”
Naturalist Yogesh Patel added, “The Indian Skimmer has striking black upperparts, white underparts, and an orange bill with a long lower mandible adapted for skimming fish. Historical records from Sanjay Gandhi National Park and recent sightings from Arnala, Uran, and now Bhigwan suggest such occurrences may become more frequent. Non-breeding habitats are just as crucial as breeding grounds.”
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