A routine birdwatching walk turned into a rare wildlife moment on January 24 at TS Chanakya (Indian Maritime University Navi Mumbai), when a birder spotted an albino male curlew sandpiper  (Calidris ferruginea) — believed to be the first recorded sighting of its kind in the area.

Naturalist and experienced birder Sachin Rane, founder of the Naturalist Foundation, told mid-day that he was guiding clients when the group first noticed redshanks and curlew sandpipers resting together. “As we moved closer to observe the flock, we briefly spotted a greater painted snipe among them, which is also the first-ever sighting of the species at TS Chanakya,” said Rane.