I recieved a Special Assignment from Mr. Partha Pratim Pal from Delhi India, he was in Bangladesh for business purposes and wanted to visit Sonadia Island in Late March to see Shorebirds in Breeding Plumage. He had few Lifers in Mind also notably the Black-legged Kittiwake, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Great Knot, Red-necked Stint, Grey Plover etc. He flew to Cox’s Bazar and I was supposed to meet him at his hotel in the morning. I arrived on time and picked him up from his hotel & started towards Sonadia Island on our Reserved Speed Boat. The Journey is about 1.5 Hours via Baak Khali River, then a little bit on Open Sea and then again inside channels until we arrive at kaladia Mudflats of Sonadia Island. This Part is a famous Tidal Mudflat famous for small waders during low tides. Specially the Spoon-billed Sandpiper forages here. When we arrived the area was mostly submerged due to High Tide coming. So we started towards High Tide Roost of Belekerdia. It had few flocks of small waders & few Gulls & Terns. Among them we found our Mail Target, 1 Black-legged Kittiwake, few Great Crested Terns & other shorebirds. Eventually this High Tide Roost was also fully submerged, then we realized today was Full Moon so Tides are higher than Usual.
We moved on to North Tip of Sonadia Island where there is another High Tide Roost. It is much higher than sea level & the Waders only use it on extreme conditions. We found at least 6-8000 Waders that day sitting along about half mile long beach. They were very cautious of us and would not allow us to go near. So we observed them from a distance and kept checking for Spoon-billed Sandpiper. But sadly we could not find it that day. We found several breeding pluamge shorebirds along with several of Mr. Partha’s Lifers. Notably the Grey Plover & Red-necked Stint. We photographed the Birds as best as we could be the Severe Heat was unbearable. We went back to Kaladia Mudflats again & decided to wait for Low Tide starting. After several hours it started and waders started to come again. We found Bar-tailed Godwits & at least 4 Great Knots which were Mr. Partha’s Lifer. Wish we could wait for a bit there because The Kaladia Mudflat was opening up and waders kept coming, would’ve been a nice afternoon. But the Scorching Sun & heat was too harsh for Mr. Partha so we started to head home. He cancelled his Return Bus Ticket for Later in the Evening & got on the Next Flight back to Dhaka. He had a meeting the next day so staying another day was not an Option. Still he scored few Nice Lifers. And our short Trip ended.
Please contact me if you’re planning to Visit Sonadia Island looking for Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Red Knot etc. Best Time to visit is December to February and Atleast 2-3 Days is needed for Confidently Finding the Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
