Breeding Record of the Indian Pratincole Glareola maldivarum in Tochigi Prefecture, Central Honshu

Abstract

Since the middle of 1970's the Indian Pratincole Glareola maldivarum has been observed breeding at several places in western Japan. Recently the bird seems to be expanding its breeding area farther north in Japan. We obtained the following breeding data at Utsunomiya (30°32′N, 139°59′E, alt. 100 m), Tochigi Pref., central Honshu. The area is 60 km away from the seacoast. An incubating pair was observed on a gravelly area of the Kinu River in June 1984. A pair and three chicks were observed in the same area on 12 June 1986.