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This is a common winter migrant mainly to dry lowlands of the northern part of the country. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America. These birds winter in southern Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia and northern South America. The birds that visit the Indian subcontinent including Sri Lanka make an epic journey over the Himalayas.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (IUCN Red List).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

I have seen this species at Mannar, Jaffna Peninisula and the Delft Island in the North and at Karagan Lewaya, Yala and Bundala National Park in the south.

My first sighting of this species at Wilpattu was on the 6th of November 2016. I was quite pleased to see one female swimming along with two Gargany at Panikka Wila.