Chaudhari Pratik and Gajanan Wagh

The research was conducted in the rivers of Amravati district, located within the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. The district is home to several major rivers, including the Wardha, Purna, Chandrabhaga, Pedhi, Pilli, Bembla, and rivers from Melghat, which are Tapi, Sipna, Gadga, Khandu, Khapra, and Waaan, as well as their numerous tributaries. This may provide a diverse range of riverine habitats for the Avian fauna. This study was carried out in 2022-2024 and documented the current population size, status, and distribution of the River Lapwing within the rivers of the Amravati district. Systematic line transects and point counts with visual scanning were conducted along the selected river stations. The result showed that the River Lapwing population in Amravati district was relatively less, only showed their presence in the Tapi River and confluence of Tapi, with an average of 33 individuals recorded among 6 survey stations from the Tapi River. The mean population size was maximum (8.75±2.16) at Mohanballa in 2024 and minimum (2±0) at Aamner Fort in 2022. Seasonal population trends revealed a maximum of 12 individuals in Mohanballa during the summer season and a minimum of 2 individuals during the monsoon season. Rangubeli had the most nesting pairs (N=3), and Chethar had the fewest (N=1). The larger flocks are usually found in open, expansive riverine environments, with a maximum 8 individuals at Rangubeli. The study revealed that River Lapwings favour riverbanks with sandy or gravelly pebble stones and sandbars, with a clustered distribution pattern of River Lapwings. During the survey, we recorded significant threats to the nesting sites of the River Lapwing, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts in the Tapi River in Amravati.

DOI: 10.22271/23940522.2024.v11.i4a.1039

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