Hundreds of rare birds wintering in Tuzlivsky limans national park: why didn't they fly to Africa.

Wintering of black-bellied sandpipers in Tuzlivsky limans

According to ТСН: In the National Nature Park "Tuzlivsky limans" you can currently observe the wintering of several hundred black-bellied sandpipers - small coastal birds from the family Scolopacidae. These birds choose limans, searching for ice-free areas of water bodies where they can find food.

This was reported by Doctor of Biological Sciences, a staff member of the national park

Ivan Rusev

.

Every season, thousands of sandpipers of this species fly through the park territory, heading to Africa. Most winter on the warm continent, but some remain in the southern part of Odesa region.

The black-bellied sandpiper (Calidris alpina) weighs from 40 to 80 grams, has a body length of 16–22 cm and a wingspan of up to 40 cm. Its coloration is very characteristic: during the breeding season, the back is brownish with dark spots, while the chest and the front part of the belly are black. In non-breeding plumage, the upper body becomes gray. This species nests along the entire coast of the Arctic Ocean and migrates long distances: European and Asian populations migrate to winter in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Recall that earlier, in the Chernobyl Reserve, it was shown how Przewalski's horses winter in the exclusion zone.

Currently, the Tuzlivsky limans serve as an important stop for migrating birds, such as the black-bellied sandpiper. Supporting their natural habitat is an important component of preserving biodiversity in the region. Observing these birds also underscores the importance of protecting natural ecosystems that serve as homes for over a thousand bird species during their migrations.