Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to investigate the migration routes of Vanellus cinereus (gray-headed lapwing) in the Wuliang Mountain region of Yunnan Province, providing a scientific basis for the conservation of its population and habitats. Method: Population dynamics of gray-headed lapwings in Wuliang Mountain of Yunnan Province were analyzed using bird banding from 1999 to 2024. Six gray-headed lapwings were captured and tracked with satellite transmitters in 2018 and 2023. Kernel density analysis was used to calculate the home range area of each gray-headed lapwing within the wintering ground. Result: According to bird banding monitoring data, the population of gray-headed lapwings in Wuliang Mountain has generally been declining over the past 26 years. Gray-headed lapwings overwinter on Wuliang Mountain in China, the Meghna River and Jibannagar in Bangladesh, and the Belagavi River in India. The birds departed their wintering sites as early as late February and arrived at their summering sites by mid-March. The birds departed their wintering sites no later than early April and reached their summering sites by late April. The migration period lasted between 11 and 21 days. The birds tended to fly at night, and their migration peak was concentrated between 21:00 and 03:00 during spring migration. The home range area of non-migratory gray-headed lapwings was (16.848 ± 11.051) km², with the core range being (2.740 ± 1.90) km². The home range area of migratory gray-headed lapwings was 2 269.366 km², with a core area of 509.122 km². Conclusion: This study has provided detailed information on migration routes of gray-headed lapwing in winter in Yunnan Province, China and south Asia, particularly identifying key summering and stopover sites within China. Their summering sites, excluding the most distant sites in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, are primarily concentrated in Hubei and Anhui Provinces, with additional sites at the junction of Henan, Hubei, and Anhui Provinces. Stopover sites are predominantly located in Hubei and Anhui Provinces, notably at Huangpo Reservoir in Hubei Province, where gray-headed lapwings have been recorded resting for up to 12 days. Given the current overall decline in gray-headed lapwing populations, it is recommended to continue monitoring of population dynamics.

Key words: Vanellus cinereus, satellite tracking, home range, migration route, bird banding