Sight and Captured Records of the Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella from Hokkaido

Abstract

A single Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella was observed in Nukabira, Kamishihoro, central Hokkaido from January 26 to February 24, 1997. In addition to this record, there have been 10 records from Hokkaido. Of them 6 records obtained in November are considered to be migrating birds southward. Other records obtained between December and early March indicate that some birds winter in Hokkaido. Most birds were observed in western Hokkaido, especially in coastal areas of the Sea of Japan. In Nemuro, eastern Hokkaido, and Hamatonbetsu, northern Hokkaido, there has been no capture or observation records of the species in spite of intensive ringing and observations in these areas. These facts indicate that they migrate from their breeding ground in Russian Far East and Mongolia to Hokkaido and southward, and do not migrate through Sakhalin or Kuril Islands.