Sonadia Island

Sonadia is a low island of sand, mudflat, mangrove and salt pan west of Cox's Bazar, with a small fishing population and no road, and its importance is ornithological: the mudflats around it are a key wintering and staging site on the East Asian and Australasian flyway, holding internationally significant numbers of shorebirds including spoon-billed sandpiper, one of the most endangered birds in the world, of which a substantial share of the remaining population has been recorded here. Nordmann's greenshank and other threatened waders also winter. The island has been the subject of development proposals for a deep-sea port and a tourism zone, which conservationists have fought, and its status has changed several times.

What you actually see

• Spoon-billed sandpiper wintering - one of the world's most endangered birds.
• Internationally important mudflats - a key site on the flyway.
• Mangrove and salt pans - the habitats across the island.
• A roadless fishing island - no vehicles and a small population.

When to go

November to March for wintering shorebirds, which is the reason to come. A day or overnight. Boats are arranged privately; there is no scheduled service. A telescope and a guide who knows the flats are essential.

Honest expectations

There is no regular boat and no accommodation beyond arranging with villagers. Birding here needs a telescope and real experience. Development proposals have repeatedly threatened the site. Crossings depend on weather and tide.

Nearby

Maheshkhali is east; Cox's Bazar lies across the channel.