September

"The spoon-billed sandpiper, a species of shorebird, is critically endangered due to habitat loss from activities such as land reclamation, and due to trapping from human hunters in need of food. There are only an estimated 249--620 individuals left."

What is a sandpiper?

Sandpipers are shorebirds that eat a variety of things, from small invertebrates to crustaceans to plants to biofilm. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica (with the exception of vagrant (lost) birds sighted in Antarctica, according to the Cambridge University Press & Assessment (formerly the Cambridge University Press)). There are many different species of sandpiper, ranging in size, adaptations, and social structure. The term "sandpiper" can be used to refer to species with the name "sandpiper," as well as some other species, including curlews, godwits, and stints. For a list of sandpiper species officially recognized by the International Ornithological Committee, you can go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sandpipers#:~:text=These%2098%20species%20of%20sandpipers,and%20a%20few%20other%20groups.

Although many sandpiper populations aren't endangered, the spoon-billed sandpiper is listed as critically endangered, with only an estimated 240--620 individuals left as of June 2021 according to the IUCN, and lots of other sandpipers are listed as vulnerable or extinct on the IUCN website (see here for a list).

Sandpipers, including the spoon-billed sandpiper, are endangered because of habitat loss and trapping, along with other things, such as climate change, bycatch, etc. Habitat loss has happened to a lot of land on sandpiper migration routes, such as tidal flats, that provide them with an essential place to rest and refuel on food during a long journey, and happens primarily because of climate change (which causes rising sea levels) and land reclamation (when we "reclaim" land from the ocean, etc.). A lot of land that sandpipers rely on to rest, feed, or breed is being developed and degraded for things such as aquaculture ponds (human-made ponds that are used to farm aquatic creatures), especially in places like China, North Korea, South Korea, etc. Trapping happens accidentally when people in need of food set out nets to catch bigger birds to eat or sell and end up catching sandpipers too.

Conservation efforts

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the spoon-billed sandpiper. According to the National Audubon Society, scientists have found ways to offer local trappers alternatives for food and money. Conservationists have also been able to protect some vital lands, headstart chicks to ensure better chances of survival (collect eggs and raise chicks to release back into the wild), and start a captive-breeding population of spoon-billed sandpipers, according to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

What YOU can do to help

Don't disturb sandpipers or sandpiper nests. You can also speak up to help save or restore tidal flats and coastal land, and spread the word!

To learn more about the spoon-billed sandpiper, you can go to: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/fighting-save-spoon-billed-sandpiper-extinction-five-years