India, May 21 -- A wetland in the Chandu Budhera wetland has emerged as a migratory stopover for the rare red-necked phalarope over the past week, birdwatchers said on Wednesday.

The tiny Arctic-breeding shorebird, also known as the "rufous-necked phalarope", was first sighted at the wetland on Tuesday last week and was repeatedly recorded till Sunday, according to birders. Experts said the species has very few sighting records in India, with the last inland sighting in Delhi-NCR at the Chandu Budhera wetland recorded in 2022.

Retired educationist-turned-birder Anu Mathur first spotted the bird during a routine birding session at the wetland at around 8.30am on Tuesday last week.

"Initially, I failed to notice the Red-necked Phalarope ...