Rare Coastal Birds Reappear in Chennai After Four Decades

Chennai – In a remarkable turn of events for the city’s naturalists, two rare coastal birds — the Oystercatcher and Saunder’s Tern — have been spotted at the Adyar estuary, marking their first confirmed return to Chennai in nearly 40 years.

Both species were once familiar along Tamil Nadu’s shores, particularly in Point Calimere and Kanyakumari, where they thrived season after season. Over time, however, coastal degradation, shrinking mudflats, and dwindling prey drove them away, making sightings in Chennai almost unheard of.

The Oystercatcher, a striking black-and-white shorebird with a vivid red bill, nests on sandbars and mudflats and feeds largely on fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. Its reappearance is especially notable since Chennai’s wintering bird flocks historically lacked this species.

Saunder’s Tern, often overlooked in the past due to being mistaken for the more common Little Tern, is equally significant for birdwatchers. Its presence signals that Chennai’s wetlands still retain the capacity to support delicate coastal species.

The Adyar estuary, long strained by urbanisation, pollution, and encroachment, nonetheless continues to function as a critical stopover in the Indian Ocean flyway — the vast migratory network connecting South Asia to global routes.

For conservationists, this rediscovery is more than just a delight for bird lovers. It points to signs of resilience in Chennai’s fragile ecosystems and underscores the urgent need for restoration. Experts believe that protecting tidal flows, reviving mudflats, and tackling pollution could pave the way for more long-lost species to return.

“This sighting is a hopeful reminder that Chennai’s wetlands still have the ability to heal and to welcome back the life they once supported,” said one city-based ornithologist.

For now, the Oystercatcher and Saunder’s Tern stand as symbols of both the city’s natural heritage and the ecological future it can reclaim with care.

With inputs from IANS