First Photographic Record of Indian Skimmer (Rynchops Albicollis) From Uttarakhand, Western Himalayas, India

Abstract

The population of the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) has declined sharply due to the habitat distraction by different anthropogenic disturbances, and consequently, this species has recently been categorised as endangered. The article presents the first photographic record about the presence of two individuals of the Indian Skimmer in the Ganga valley in district Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Himalayan foothills during March 2023.Continuous monitoring of the breeding and wintering populations of this endangered species is, therefore, needed in different parts of the Indian subcontinent.