When the sun rises over the lowlands of eastern Brazil, painting the Guaporé River in hues of gold, I catch a sight of slender-legged birds wading gracefully in the shallows. First I think of a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). And one of the bird is a Greater Yellowlegs. But among the other waders I identify a Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus), a fascinating traveler that makes the wetlands near the Bolivia-Brazil border its winter retreat. This moment marks not just a connection to nature but an insight into the remarkable adaptability of migratory birds.
The Stilt Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird known for its long, thin legs and slightly decurved bill. Measuring about 19–22 cm in length, with a wingspan of 38–45 cm, this species is well-suited for its feeding habits in soft, muddy terrain. Its winter plumage with pale grey tones, a clean white underbelly and light yellow legs is unimpressive, so that the species is easily confused with one of the two Yellowlegs species.
These birds breed in the Arctic tundra of North America, undertaking a long journey to South America during winter. The wetlands of the Guaporé River, characterized by flooded grasslands and shallow pools, provide a rich feeding ground for these migrants, teeming with invertebrates like midge larvae and small crustaceans.
But the question is, why they use the Guaporé Wetlands. The Guaporé River basin lies within the Amazon biome but hosts extensive areas of seasonally flooded grasslands. During the dry season, the receding waters expose nutrient-rich mudflats ideal for shorebirds. The Stilt Sandpiper often forages in these habitats by probing the mud with its sensitive bill, a technique that maximizes its intake of food essential for survival and return migration.
These wetlands also offer safety in numbers. Stilt Sandpipers often mix with other species like the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), creating mixed flocks that reduce individual predation risk. Despite their adaptability, Stilt Sandpipers face threats. Habitat loss from agricultural expansion and water pollution are key concerns in this biodiverse region. The Guaporé wetlands, while remote, are not immune to these pressures. Conservation efforts focused on protecting migratory corridors and preserving wetland habitats are critical to ensuring that species like Stilt Sandpiper continue their seasonal journeys.
For Western Palearctic twitchers it is by far more difficult to add an Stilt Sandpiper on the list. One individual remained for some days at Low Newton-by-the -Sea (Northumberland) on the scrape between the village and Newton Pool. The last twitch I could find of a Stilt Sandpiper in Germany was from Strandsee Hohenfelde, Schleswig-Holstein, in July 2008
For bird enthusiasts, observing the Stilt Sandpiper at the Guaporé River is a reminder of the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The graceful waders symbolize resilience and the wonder of migration, as they traverse thousands of kilometers to call these wetlands home, even if only for a season.
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