CONSERVATION WORKSHOP OF THE FAUNA
OF ARABIA
Breeding Centre for
Endangered Arabian Wildlife - Desert Park Sharjah UAE
19-23 February 2006
REPORT
ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE SMALL BIRDS OF PREY AND OWLS GROUP
Michael C Jennings and Tanya A Sadler
Introduction
The group was established to examine, species by species, those
raptors and owls which were not considered by the large raptors working
group in 2005, notably birds of prey in the genera Elanus, Milvus, Melierax, Micronisus, Accipiter,
Buteo (but not B. socotranus
endemic to Socotra), Pandion and Falco
(but not hunting falcons), and owls (but not O. socotranus endemic to Socotra). It
is understood that the hunting falcons and Socotra endemics will be included
in a future workshops. However the population and conservation situation
aspects of those species considered included where appropriate details of
the Socotra population. Jordan was not directly considered although some
input of data from Jordanian representatives on other working groups was gratefully
received.
The group benefited from a wide range of expertise including academics,
reserve managers, government conservation department representatives,
field workers, wildlife park specialists, veterinary specialists and those
closely connected with official bodies such as CITES monitoring. There
were representatives present from each state and a number of foreign delegates
attended to share their knowledge and expertise. Written submissions were
received from David Stanton in Yemen, Jacky Judas and Patrick Pailat who
were unable to attend in person.
Unfortunately the group did not have the advantage of finalised recommendations
and actions from the large raptors group workshop held in 2005 , but a few
of the delegates to that workshop were present and could pass on there experiences
and knowledge. The BCEAW Sharjah had also prepared comprehensive resource
packs on each species including extracts from the literature, distribution
maps etc. As an aid to discussion the facilitator prepared prior to the
workshop a comprehensive summary of the status, distribution and populations
of all raptors (including those not due for discussion and those discussed
at last year’s workshop) and owls. This document formed a focal point for
initial discussion for each species as the group reviewed distribution and
population issues collectively, before considering the individual Taxon
Data Sheets (TDS). Note that the estimated populations table (Appendix B) was
updated during the workshop and the revised estimated populations table appears
below.
Issues Identified in the Species
Reviews by the Group
The group worked through the species one by one. To encourage discussion
a start was made with a species well known to everyone, the Osprey Pandion halieatus. Rather disconcertingly
this took half of Day 1. This was probably because there is relatively a
lot known about this species in Arabia and many had a view to express. After
that the group was able to review of the majority of species targeted including
9 birds of prey and 3 owls. The group took a decision not to discuss the
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
and Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
on the original worksheet because these species are not confirmed to breed
in Arabia, although the latter does have a breeding population of about
100 pairs in Jordan. The group did not have sufficient time to review all
species scheduled for discussion because it considered it important to have
proper time to discuss general issues and form ideas for some realistic
recommendations. The species not considered because of lack of time were
the African and Striated Scops Owls (Otus
africanus and O. brucei), Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus and Little Owl Athene noctua
The species that were reviewed (in the order considered) were
as follows:
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus
caeruleus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax
metabates
Gabar Goshawk Micronisus
gabar
Shikra Accipiter badius
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo
rufinus
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Desert Eagle Owl Bubo desertorum/ascalaphus
Hume’s Owl Strix butleri
The groups worked through the TDS document for each species, to identify
and categorise the conservation situation appropriate for each in Arabia
and review this against its global status as shown in the various documents
available to the group. Working through the TDSs it became clear that certain
themes and issues occurred over and over again for a number of species, (in
TDS order)
a. There was only poor quality information
available on population trends both nationally and regionally, and this
inhibited detailed and valuable discussion.
b. Information on Arabian habitats, habitat change, and habitat losses
due to development and agriculture was limited.
c. Although much anecdotal information was presented the degree to
which each species is in local or international trade in the Arabian region
is very poorly known.
d. There is very few detailed studies of the target species in Arabia.
e. The general lack of detailed research into populations, habitats
and life histories in Arabia of the species reviewed hampered discussion.
f. Captive breeding was not identified as a relevant issue for Arabian
species at present.
g. There was no clear information available of exactly which species,
species groups etc have any degree of protection in the region. This restricted
the group’s ability to make recommendations towards legislation.
Conservation Status
The group considered the current global conservation status as published
by the IUCN (BirdLife International
2004. In: IUCN 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.redlist.org.) and recommended which
regional status is appropriate for Arabian taxa. Table 1 presents the results
along with the suggested total Arabian populations for each – expressed
as breeding pairs. (NB Many sources quote populations in terms of individuals.
In very broad terms some workers use the yardstick that for every breeding
pair the equivalent number of individuals is three.)
Table 1: Global IUCN conservation status of species
reviewed, with estimate current Arabian breeding population (pairs)
|
Species |
Global IUCN Conservation Status |
Conservation Status in Arabia |
Arabian Population (Breeding Pairs) |
| Osprey |
Least concern |
Vulnerable
C1 |
800 |
| Black-shouldered
Kite |
Least concern |
Vulnerable
C1 |
15
|
| Black Kite |
Least concern |
Least concern |
15 000 |
| Dark-chanting
Goshawk |
Least concern |
Near threatened |
1 000 |
| Gabar Goshawk |
Least concern |
Vulnerable
D1 |
200 |
| Shikra |
Least concern |
Vulnerable
D2 |
15 |
| Long-legged
Buzzard |
Least concern |
Near threatened |
800 |
| Common
Kestrel |
Least concern |
Least concern |
4 000 |
| Sooty Falcon |
Least concern |
Endangered
C2a1 |
500 |
| Barn owl |
Least concern |
Vulnerable
C1 |
1 000 |
| Desert Eagle
Owl |
Least concern |
Near threatened |
1 500 |
| Hume’s
Tawny Owl |
Least concern |
Least concern |
1 700 |
Discussion
Perhaps the most important result of the discussion was the realisation
that there appears to be a fundamental error in the published information
on the known world population of the Sooty Falcon. This species is credited
with a world population according to IUCN (BirdLife International 2004.
Falco concolor. In: IUCN 2004. 2004
ICUN Red List of Threatened Species; www.redlist.org.) of 100,000 individuals
and similarly in, el Hoyo (1994) Handbook of the Birds of the World, as 40,000
pairs. However careful research of all Arabian census data, which is surprisingly
complete for this species, has revealed that the total Arabian population
is probably just less than 500 breeding pairs. Given that the Arabian population
is generally regarded as the largest within its range (perhaps half of the
world population) the generally quoted global population may actually be
exaggerated by a factor of forty! This issue requires urgent investigation.
It is thought that the published total may have been extrapolations of partial
counts in the species winter range.
Apart from the situation with Sooty Falcon the group considered that
the two most pressing issues concerning raptor and owl conservation in
the Arabia region were as follows.
1) There is a need for much greater public
awareness of threats and issues facing these species and how these might
be overcome, and
2) There is great need for detailed studies
of most of these species, including their habitats, populations and life
histories, to address their conservation status and identify population trends.
Recommendation and actions
Recommendations were collected against the following two general
topics and are scheduled with some miscellaneous issues below. The group
thought that it would only be appropriate to list recommendations that
it could realistically achieve through the action of the group’s members.
The individuals who will be coordinating specific action within the group
and taking forward the issues to resolution are shown. Those taking forward
actions should copy all drafts and details of progress to the other members
of the group using the standard email distribution list or the workgroup
to be set up. The facilitator would coordinate all actions and progress
for a period of six months after the workshop.
Public Awareness
a. Owls in Arabian Folklore:
The particular situation within Arabia where owls are universally regarded
in folklore as birds of bad omen, which often leads to persecution, was
identified as a major stumbling block to their conservation. In an attempt
to counter this negative understanding the group felt that a poster or similar
document could be prepared which could then be circulated widely within
schools to try and instil in children the idea that owls are not to be feared
and are in fact a very beneficial part of the human environment because
they eat rodent and insect pests. The group undertook to start action to
prepare such a poster which it was hoped could be funded for printing by
the Birdlife (Middle East), perhaps with local donations from both the official
and private sectors. (Action: Draft poster design, Declan O’Donovan)
(All members who have knowledge of the folklore aspects of owls in Arabia
are requested to provide Declan with the details as this will be useful in
designing the poster).
b. Husbandry broadsheet for injured
birds and chicks- and rescue centres: Several group members identified
that at present it is a recurring problem that young, sick or particularly
injured birds are found by the public who do not know what to do with them.
In view of the rarity/vulnerability of most species it was recommended
that a fact-sheet type document should be prepared (which could be adapted
for each state) which would show what the public could do with birds in
terms of first aid, basic care, feeding and which local organisations,
such as rescue centres, even sympathetic vets, were available to help restore
the bird to good health or, if unavoidable, effect euthanasia. The sheets
could be made available at a variety of establishments such as zoos, wildlife
centres, vets, and occasionally published in local papers, especially if
dressed up as a wildlife article. The group also considered that there was
a need for more wildlife rescue centres and would look into ways of how
this might be encouraged. (Action: Draft broadsheet and list of rescue centres,
Greg Simkins & Declan O’Donovan) (All members to pass further ideas
and details of local centres to Greg and Declan).
c. CITES Poster: Kuwait representatives
mentioned that they had started to prepare an advice document on CITES species
in trade. This document which might take the form of a poster with photographs
would be issued for display in markets, at airports and border areas etc.
It was thought that such a poster could be easily adapted for use elsewhere
in the region. (Action: When poster prepared for Kuwait to be circulated
to other members, Shareefa Al Salem)
Research
d. Sooty Falcon population: The discrepancy identified between
the accepted view of world population and the likely world population
suggested from research in Arabia needs to be publicised and brought to
the attention of appropriate conservation bodies. The group recommends
that urgent efforts are made to identify how the world population of 100,000
birds has been calculated and to alert the IUCN of the discrepancy. This
species may actually be endangered rather than ‘least concern’ as currently
classified. (Action: Determine origin of published world population of 100,000
birds and report views of group to IUCN/BirdLife as necessary, Michael Jennings)
e. Sooty Falcon winter range: With
only limited investment a great deal could be learnt on the non-breeding
range of the Sooty Falcon by fitting some with satellite tracking devices.
A few fitted at colonies in Bahrain, Oman, northern Red Sea and Yemen would
provide extremely valuable information. This study could be extended to other
species and include traditional ringing techniques as appropriate. (Action:
Not allocated. It is suggested that Howard King could look into how this
could be done for the Bahrain colony, perhaps with the help of Mohammed Shobrak
who has knowledge of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea colonies and of satellite
tracking technology. )
f. Disease, health and parasite
etc studies: It was thought that a lot of information on disease
among birds of prey and general aspects of health was being lost though
lack of awareness by fieldworkers, ringers and others handling birds or
inspecting nests etc. It was recommended that a paper could be prepared
on things to look out for, basic data and specimens that could be collected
and which organisations would be interested in specimens, samples etc. (Action:
Draft information document, Tom Bailey).
g. Impact of agriculture and development:
Despite the huge increase in the last two decades in the area of land under
agriculture and developed for commercial, industrial and domestic use, there
has been very little work done on how these issues are impacting populations
and ranges of raptors and owls. It was recommended that the main issues
relative to these aspects should be identified so that future study programme
could be coordinated. (Action: Not yet allocated)
h. Formal research subjects:
It was identified that there are a number of important issues such as the
monitoring of pesticides/insecticide usage and research in to pollution
aspects, detailed studies of species etc, that require to be looked at in
depth, some perhaps are appropriate to formal academic study. Some specific
subjects arising out of the groups review are shown at Appendix 3. (Action:
Not yet allocated)
i. Information Exchange:
It is recommended that a central point should be established where data
and other resources can be available as an aid to further research of taxa,
habitats and conservation studies. This resource could include a variety
of media such as databases, bibliographies, reference library, useful websites
and online data sources. (Action: Not yet allocated, however this facility
could perhaps be coordinated at BCEAW? )
j. Inter-disciplinary actions:
Scope for more inter-disciplinary actions were judged to be high and should
be encouraged as much as possible. For example the ornithological community
can provide the small mammals group with owl and raptor pellets for analysis
of mammalian contents. This specific area of cooperation will be published.
(Action: Short notes to be drafted for inclusion in appropriate journals
and newsletters, Michael Jennings) Ideas would be welcomed from other members
on which publications could carry such notes.
k. Hybrids/Exotics species: This
is a subject which is a particularly concern in view of the possibility
that hybrids, such as those falcons deliberately cross-bred in falcon centres
are released, or escape, to the environment and could then cross breed in
turn with indigenous species. Research is needed to determine whether this
concern is justified. (Action: Not yet allocated)
Miscellaneous.
l. Legislation and Politics: The
group considered that it was generally very difficult or impracticable to
get movement with the political and legislative process by direct means.
However there was a case for every individual not to miss the opportunity
to lobby those in government and those taking the major decisions, to effect
small and large changes that may concern birds of prey and owls. It was also
agreed that to better inform the group and future similar workshops, a comprehensive
catalogue of conservation and environment protection legislation (e.g.
Year, name of legislation, species/areas protected etc) for each state in
Arabia should be prepared and updated as necessary. (This would be an important
part of the resource at ‘Recommendation i’ above) Initial work would start
on this immediately. (Action: Draft list of legislation to be prepared,
Salah Behbehani ) Would all members please forward information on national
legislation within their own state to Salah).
m. Threats: Further work
is needed to determine what studies are appropriate to clarify the true
impact of hunting, persecution, trade, and recreation on breeding species.
There is also a need to ensure the impact of these issues is brought to
the attention of the perpetrators and those involved so that they know
the effect of their actions. Again this could perhaps be done through publicity
activities such as newspaper articles, TV etc. (Action: Not yet allocated)
The way forward in respect of the recommendations
To action the groups recommendations it is proposed to set up a workgroup
site (Action: Howard King). All members can then keep in touch and share
all their thoughts, ideas and data. A standard email distribution list will
also be prepared and used for to circulation the formal actions, drafts etc,
arising out of the recommendations (Action: Tanya Sadler).
Participants
The following persons took part in the debates of one or more
species or the general discussion of recommendations.
FACILITATOR:
Michael Jennings
(UK based. Coordinator: Atlas of the Birds of Arabia project, Editor: The
Phoenix)
SECETARY: Ms. Tanya Sadler (Veterinary Nurse, BCEAW, Sharjah)
BAHRAIN:
Howard King (Land surveyor, field ornithologist,
specialist on the birds breeding on the Hawar Islands)
howardk@balelco.com.bh
Essa Faraj Sa’ad (Head Bird Section, Department of Protected Areas)
SAUDI ARABIA:
Dr. Mohammed Shobrak (Director National Wildlife
Research Centre, Taif )
desert@nwrc-sa.org
KUWAIT:
OMAN:
UAE:
YEMEN:
Omer Ahmed Baeshen (Nature Resource Management,
Environment Protection Authority)
g_hng@yahoo.com
Jacky Judas (Wildlife biologist, National
Avian Research Centre, EAD)
jjudas@aed.ae
Patrick Paillat (Field researcher)
No present email address
David Stanton (Chairman of the Yemen Ornithological Society, Sana’a)
davidstanton@qsi.org
Appendix 1.
A NOTE ON THE STATUS, DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION OF BREEDING BIRDS
OF PREY AND OWLS IN ARABIA.
Appendix 2.
TAXON DATA SHEETS OF SPECIES CONSIDERED AT THE 2006 SHARJAH WORKSHOP.
available as image files only - each six pages and accessible by following
links at side of main working page (click here to start)
Appendix 3
RECOMMENDED FURTHER STUDY
1. Despite the huge increase in the last
two decades in the area of land under agriculture and developed for commercial,
industrial and domestic use there has been no study of how this changes
in land use is impacting the habitats, populations and breeding of birds
of prey and owls.
2. There is an urgent requirement to look in depth at the overall
effect of the use of pesticides/insecticides in the Arabian environment,
to make research into other pollution aspects and to set up measures and
procedures to monitor changes in these aspects in future.
3. Studies are appropriate to clarify the true impact of al aspects
of hunting, persecution, trade and recreation on breeding species of raptors
and owls in Arabia.
4. Detailed species studies are much needed for a number of taxa breeding
in Arabia, where very little data is available in respect of their habitat
utilisation, life history and breeding, and populations. Lack of knowledge
is particularly noticeable for the Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Dark
Chanting Goshawk, Gabar Goshawk, Shikra, Long-legged Buzzard and all owl
species.
Appendix A
DISTRIBUTION MAPS OF RAPTORS AND OWLS BREEDING IN ARABIA
These maps are prepared from the records held on the Atlas of the
Breeding Birds of Arabia database. All records for all species are shown
unless otherwise indicated in the species accounts.
Appendix B
ESTIMATED POPULATIONS OF BREEDING RAPTORS AND OWLS IN ARABIA
