A photo of a Pectoral Sandpiper taken by Li Xuan. [Photo/WeChat ID: ls-mnews]

A new bird species, the Pectoral Sandpiper, was spotted in Liandu district, Lishui, Zhejiang province, becoming the 458th recorded bird species in the city, according to the Lishui Bird Ecology Protection Association.

The discovery was made by Li Xuan, vice-president of the Lishui Bird Ecology Protection Association. Initially mistaking it for a Grey-tailed Tattler, Li noticed the bird was much smaller, with distinct brown streaks and finely marked vertical lines on its chest, contrasting sharply with its white belly. These characteristics confirmed it as a Pectoral Sandpiper.

The Pectoral Sandpiper, also known as Calidris melanotos, is a long-distance migratory small wader. Half of its population breeds in the marshy tundras of Northeast Asia, while the other half breeds in northern North America.

They typically migrate to South America for the winter, with some reaching Australia, New Zealand, and even southern Africa. Historically, China has not been part of their migratory path.

"Bird migration patterns can be influenced by factors like global warming, especially for birds undertaking long-distance migrations," Li explained.

Occasionally, lost Pectoral Sandpipers appear in China, but they are extremely rare. Prior records in Zhejiang province are limited and mostly confined to coastal areas, according to Li.