D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, a significant flyway and a preferred stopover (refuelling) site during the return migration of the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis (Radde, 1863)

Abstract

This communication reports the repeated sighting records of the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis with photographic evidence in the D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary (DEMWS) of Arunachal Pradesh during the summer. Though there are many sighting reports of the Amur Falcon from many places in India, all are onward journeys (October and November). Hence, not only the repeated sighting of the Amur Falcon but also its sighting during the month of May in DEMWS is the record of its kind. This is significant information for ornithologists, as the recent sighting in the sanctuary is the second record of this raptor during the summer in the state, which also demonstrated that DEMWS is a significant flyway and a preferred stopover or refuelling site during the return migration of this raptor towards their breeding grounds.