Mohanbhatha, a grassland expanse on the fringes of Bilaspur district, turned into a stage for a rare natural spectacle this week when a Caspian Plover (Anarhynchus asiaticus) was recorded for the first time in Central India. The sighting was documented through photographs by wildlife photojournalist Satyaprakash Pandey in the month of August, and has since been formally confirmed by Bird Count India based on eBird records.

 

The Caspian Plover, a small but striking migratory bird, is seldom encountered in the Indian subcontinent. Its sudden presence in Chhattisgarh underscores how migratory pathways continue to surprise ornithologists and birders alike.

 

Typically, the species breeds in the open steppes and semi-desert plains around the Caspian Sea, spanning regions of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, before travelling thousands of kilometres to wintering grounds in eastern and southern Africa, as well as parts of South Asia. In India, confirmed records of the Caspian Plover are exceedingly scarce. Past sightings have been reported sporadically from Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat Little Rann of Kutch.

 

The Mohanbhatha record marks a fresh extension of its documented range into the heart of Central India, adding a significant entry to the country ornithological map. Such unexpected discoveries remind us of the fragile yet dynamic nature of bird migration, said an update from Bird Count India.

 

Experts believe the combination of open grassland habitat and prevailing weather conditions could have encouraged the species to halt briefly in Bilaspur. Following the news of the sighting, local birders and photographers flocked to Mohanbhatha, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare traveller. For the community, the event was more than just an addition to checklists-it was a celebration of biodiversity and the ecological importance of the region grasslands. The record is being hailed as one of the most exciting developments in Chhattisgarh natural history in recent years. For Central India, it is the first ever photographic confirmation of the Caspian Plover, placing Mohanbhatha firmly on the map of global bird migration routes.