Awards Nomination 20+ Million Readerbase
Indexed In
  • SafetyLit
  • RefSeek
  • Hamdard University
  • EBSCO A-Z
  • OCLC- WorldCat
  • Publons
Share This Page
Recommended Webinars & Conferences
Journal Flyer
Flyer image

Research Article - (2014) Volume 17, Issue 2

Breeding Population of Birds on Banifaror Island in the Persian Gulf

Behrouz Behrouzi-Rad*
Khuzestan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahwaz, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Behrouz Behrouzi-Rad, Khuzestan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahwaz, Iran, Tel: 9121325838 Email:

Abstract

This research was conducted in Banifaror Island (26o06'51"N 54o26'43"E), in Persian Gulf from August 2009 to August 2012. The aim of this study is to provide a complete picture of the Present population of the breeding water birds in Banifaror. Total count method was used to obtain the census of the nests and breeding population of water birds. Forty one species of water birds were identified in this island, of which six species were breeder. Breeding population of Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus was dominant. The maximum population of this species was 32340 pairs in 2009. Other breeder species were Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis, Swift Tern Sterna bergii, Caspian Tern Sterna caspia, Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis, and a small colony of White cheeked Tern Sterna repressa. The island has been suggested for to be classified as sensitive habitat for breeding water birds. This is the first record of the status of the breeding population of water birds on Banifaror Island.

Keywords: Breeding population; Banifaror Island; Persian Gulf; Iran

Introduction

The study of the species diversity, changing in breeding and migratory population of the water birds is very important in the wetlands, creeks and islands [1,2]. To monitor a group of birds implies that there is a need for information on the breeding population status or health that can only be met by collecting data, because every species has a range of conditions under which it thrives. By choosing to monitor a set of species that require high quality environments, specialized habitats, or conditions that a manager may want to promote a sense of the region's environmental health can be made. Since environmental or habitat health is often difficult for us to measure directly, due to the many factors (often unknown or ephemeral) that contribute to the conditions, it is often easier to measure the status of the breeding population that require them to develop an assessment [3]. On the other hand, it is widely accepted that the number of terns using a site is a good indicator or that site's biological importance [2], and they are also important indicators of the ecological condition of their habitats. There are 34 islands on northern part of Persian Gulf at Iranian coasts [4,5]. Banifaror (or Farorghan or Faror Kochek) is one of them. Terns, Herons, Gulls and Waders form important animal group heavily dependent on the islands for their continued existence [4-7]. Banifaror also is an important breeding sites for Terns, five in particular nest in vast number on the island, these are the Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis, Swift Tern Thalasseus bergii, White Checked Tern, Sterna repressa, Caspian Tern Sterna caspia and Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus [4,5,7,8]. Besides terns and Western Reef Heron, which breed in summer in Banifaror, several other species of water birds use the Banifaror, at migration time in spring and in summer, such as Tringa ssp, Larus ssp, Naumenius spp, Caradrius ssp, Caldris ssp and some terrestrial birds such as Crested Lark Galerida cistata [8]. The plant and animal population of Banifaror Island is rich and unique, and are exceptionally beautiful land is interactive as well as being of great scientific interest. Much of the beauty and uniqueness of this site, however, result from the fact that this has so far remained relatively free from human interference. The aim of this study was to provide a complete picture of the present population of the colonial breeding five tern species and Western Reef Heron in Banifaror Island, for identifying the sensitive habitats of breeding of water birds in Persian Gulf islands, for protection these habitats. I identified the breeding species and count breeding population of Terns and Western Reef Heron on Banifaror (or Farorghan) island in 2009-2012.

Materials and Methods

Study area

Thirty four islands are located on the northern part of the Persian Gulf. The Banifaror or (Farorghan or Faror Kochek) Island is one of them and situated at (26o06’51”N 54o26’43”E), 57 km southeast of Kish island, 205 km south west of Bandar Abbas city, 50 km awey from Bandar Charak port. The area of the Banifaror is 83 hectares, (Figure1). The interior of the island covered by Cyperus spp, Lysium and Saueda vermiculata and Halopyrum mucronatum, but the perimeter of the island is without any vegetation. There are no springs or surface water in this island. Rainfall is very low, and the summer temperatures frequently exceed 40°C.

coastal-development-banifaror-island-persian

Figure 1: Location of Banifaror Island (Study area) in the Persian Gul.

Estimation of bird's population

The nests of breeding population of water birds was counted directly on (1-10) August in 2009-2012. The nests of Lesser Crested tern Sterna bengalensis and Swift Tern Sterna bergii were on sandy place without any vegetation and were counted easily. The nests of Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis were on short bushes and were counted easily. The nests of Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus were under the short bushes and were counted by looking under the bushes. Total count method was used to count the nests of breeding population of White Cheeked Tern S.repressa, Caspian Tern Sterna caspica and Western Reef Heron in one day [9]. Nest numbers of Bridled Tern, Lesser Crested and Swift Terns were estimated using sampling method by plots (20×20 m for Bridled Tern, ten plot) and 1×1 m for the other two species (ten plot) in one day base done which the breeding population of these species was estimated [10,11]. The plots selected randomly in the breeding place of these three species. The nests with the eggs counted in the each plots.

Counts were done only once during the breeding season of each year (between 1-10 August 2009-2012). This time was obtained by searching terns breeding colonies on Nakhilo Island since 2004-2008 [11]. The first observation was done on first of August 2009, second on 6th August 2010, third on 9th August 2011 and fourth on 10th August 2012. At this time all breeding species established nests and laid egg. Area of the island is 83 hectare. We estimated the area of the breeding habitat of the Bridled, Lesser Crested and Swift terns by GPS system. The area of the breeding place for Bridled Tern was 50 hectare and for the other two species was about one hectare (Figure 2). The breeding places of each species marked by GPS and have been shown on Figure 4. The non-breeders counted done on 1-10 August, in 2009-2012 by total count methods (Krebs 2002) at low tide (at low tide the area of the island was about 200 ha.). All species observations around the island were confirmed with binocular (10×40 mm).

coastal-development-dominant-water-banifaror

Figure 2: Population percent of dominant water- birds on Banifaror, 2009-2012.

coastal-development-species-dominant-water

Figure 3: Species percent of dominant water birds on Banfiaror, 2009-2012.

coastal-development-breeding-species-banifaror

Figure 4: Breeding places of five Tern species and Western Reef Heron on Banifaror Island in 2009- 2012. 1-1-Bridled Tern 2009 and 2010; 1-2-Bridled Tern 2011; 1-3-Bridled Tern 2013; 2-1- White checked Tern 2009; 2-2- White checked tern 2011; 2-3White checked tern 2012; 3-1- Swift and Lesser crested Terns; 2009, and 2010; 3-2- Swift and Lesser crested Terns 2011; 3-3- Swift and Lesser crested Terns 2012; 4. Caspian Tern (2009- 2012); 5- Western Reef Hern.

Result

Bird’s population

In total, forty one species of water birds have been identified in this island in 2009-2012 (Table 1), of which six species were breeder (Table 2). The counts of each species are given in (Table 1). Waders (Charadriidae and Scolopacidae) were the dominant families with 29 species (70.73%), but total numbers of Sternidae with six species were 273759 (99.02%) individuals, (Figures 2 and 3 and Table 1). Lesser Crested and Bridled Terns (with 98 percent were the most abundant between the other breeding species (Table 1). The total numbers of birds declined from 71565 (25.88%) in 2009 to 67461 (24.40%) in 2012, (Table 1), reduction was 1.48 percent. Bird's density (individuals/ha.) declined from 357.82 in 2009 to 337.30 in 2012, (Table 1). Density reduction was 20.52 (Table 1).

Species 1st Aug 6th Aug 9th Aug 10th Aug %
2009 2010 2011 2012
Western Reef Heron Egrttagularis 28 11 9 15 0.02
Little Egret Erettagarzetta 2 3 1 2 0.002
Grey Heron Ardeacinerea 3 12 13 13 0.014
Swift Tern Sterna Bergii 295 262 253 191 0.36
Lesser Crested Tern S.Bengalensis 4731 4391 4121 3921 6.2
Bridled Tern S. anaethetus 65320 63456 63121 61871 91.8
Caspian Tern S.caspia 180 123 143 102 0.21
Gull-billed Tern S.nilotica 2 3 3 0 0.002
White-cheeked Tern S.repressa 320 254 451 245 0.45
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei 343 34 34 245 0.23
Blac -headed Gull Larusridibundus 34 23 23 245 0.11
Common Gull L. canus 12 47 34 18 0.004
Lesser Black-backed Gull L.fuscus 12 43 10 285 0.12
Redshank Tringatotanus 12 9 7 15 0.015
Spotted Redshank T. erythropus 11 6 12 4 0.011
Common Sandpiper T. hypolacus 7 1 1 0 0.003
Green Sandpiper T. ochropus 0 11 4 3 0.006
Marsh Sandpiper T. stegnatilis 6 0 2 9 0.005
Greenshank T. nebolaria 0 1 11 12 0.008
Wood Sandpiper Tringaglareola 2 0 1 2 0.5
Black-tailed Godwit Limosalimosa 28 11 12 15 0.022
Common Snipe Gallinagogallinago 3 12 13 13 0.014
Avocet Ricurvirostraavosetta 5 0 0 6 0.003
Oystercatcher Haematopusostralegus 3 0 0 2 0.001
Kentish Plover Charadriusalexsandrinus 5 0 2 5 0.004
Little Ringed Plover Ch. Dubius 11 9 0 6 0.009
Lesser Sand Plover Ch. mongolus 0 4 3 0 0.002
Ringed Plover Ch. hiaticula 0 0 0 6 0.002
Greater Sand Plover Ch.leschenaultii 2 0 9 0 0.004
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptosminimus 4 12 14 11 0.014
Eurasian Curlew Numeniusarquata 8 8 1 16 0.011
Whimbrel N. phaepus 3 5 2 25 0.012
Ruff Philomachuspugnax 4 21 2 13 0.014
Curlew Sandpiper Caldrisferruginea 23 18 19 12 0.025
Dunlin C. alpine 3 0 0 3 0.002
Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii 72 32 65 89 0.095
Little Stint C. minuta 43 34 19 20 0.041
Turnstone Arenariainterpres 4 2 12 0 0.006
Terek Sandpiper Xenuscinereus 2 0 0 0 0.001
Grey Plover Pluvialissquatarola 9 8 10 5 0.011
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicolafalcinelusfalcinellus 11 70 50 16 0.053
Total numbers 71565 68936 68487 67461 100
-25.88% -24.93% -24.77% -24.40%
Waterbird species totals 37 32 35 35 43
Sum of four years     276451    
Waterbird population density (a) 357.82 344.68 342.34 337.3 -

Table 1: Water birds of 41 species recorded at Banifaror Island on August 2009-2012.C

Species 2009 2010 2011 2012
White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa 0 10 245 132
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseusbengalensis 2310 2101 1987 1876
Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus 32340 31111 31210 29875
Swift Tern Thalasseusbergii 145 131 125 89
Caspian Tern Sterna caspica 67 25 56 45
Western Reef Heron 13 14 12 13
Total (Pairs) 34875 33056 33534 32028

Table 2: Breeder species of water birds on Banifaror Island in 2009-2012.

Five species of terns and Western Reef Heron had been bred on Banifaror Island in 2009-2012, (Table 2). Five tern species, Bridled Tern (maximum 32340 pairs in 2009), small colony of Caspian Tern (maximum 67 pairs in 2009), small colony of White Cheeked Tern (maximum 145 pairs in 2011), Lesser Crested and Swift Terns (maximum 2310 and 145 pairs respectively in 2009) and Western Reef Heron (12-14 pairs) had been bred in Banifaror Island in 2009–2012.

Species and population of breeding birds on Banifaror Island:

The tern’s populations were the most abundant in August (99%, Figure 2). Lesser Crested and Swift Terns breed in huge colonies on bare ground at east of island, the colony of the White-cheeked Tern had been selected the west part of island for breeding and the Bridled Tern had been bred on central part of Banifaror (Figure 4). The selection of sites suitable for establishing colonies is subject to pressure by human disturbance (Fishermen).

Consequently terns tend to confine their nest close to water, e.g. on small estuary isles or even on mudflat. Beside breeding species, the mudflats at around of Banifaror hold many hundreds of shorebirds in summer and winter, including large number of Tringa sp, Charadrius sp, Caldris sp and other waders (Table 1).

White-cheeked tern Sterna repressa: Breeds in tropical warm waters of Indian Ocean, mainly coastal and inshore, avoiding inland waters [12]. Nests on sandy islands, sometimes on a bare and exposed sand-flat some 400 m in from sea, or on sand blown or washed into hollows of rock surface [12]. On the Persian Gulf islands favors sparsely vegetated open ground, e.g. sand dunes above high water mark on branches [6,13]. This species had been bred in five islands in 2009-2012 in Persian Gulf, (Nakhilo, Om-Al Gorm, Sheedvar, Ghabre Nakhoda and Banifaror, Table 3). This species had been bred in three areas on Banifaror Island on sandy open ground about 50 meters in from sea (Figure 4).

Island 1970 [7] 2009 2010 2011 2012
Banifaror ? 0 10(259m2) 245(320m2) 132(320m2)
(0.38 nest at 10 m2) (7.76 nest at 10 m2) (4.1 nest at 10 m2)
Nakhilo 170 12 15 14 8
Sheedvar 300000 950 854 1211 321
(27000-45000 in 1977)
GabreNakhoda 0 6 0 0 0
Kharkuo 1500-2500 0 0 0 0
Bushehr Bay 50 0 0 0 0
Morghu (Khan) 65 0 0 0 0
Om-Al-Gorm 300 0 0 0 0
Total (a) 300585(?) 1278 879 1470 (16.66%) 461
0% -1.13% -28.63%

Table 3: Estimated number of breeding pairs of White-cheeked Tern on Banifaror and other islands of Persian Gulf in 2009-2012. (a)=The numbers in the parentheses are percent of breeding population of White-cheeked Tern in Banifaror.

The number of their counted nests is shown in (Table 3). Nesting place area was about 259-320 m2, (259 m2 in 2010, 320 m2 in 2011 and 2012, Table 3) Other breeding colonies of this species have been reported in 1970s as follows: Kharkou (1500-2500 pairs), Bushehr Bay (50 pairs), Morghu (Khan) (65 pairs), Um-Al-Karam (Om-Al-Gorm) (300 pairs), Nakhilo (170 pairs), Sheedvar (300,000 pairs in 1972 but only 27000-45000 pairs in 1977, (Table 3) [7]. There is not enough information about breeding status of this species since 1970s till 2009 in Banifaror, but after 2009, breeding population of White Cheeked Tern on the Banifaror Island is shown in Table 3.

Lesser crested tern Thalasseus Bengalensis: This species Breeds in lower middle and low latitudes from Mediterranean through subtropical and tropical warm seas, associates commonly with Swift Tern Thalasseus bergii sharing nest-sites on flat sandy upper beaches, especially on low-lying islands, among dwarf or stunted and sparse vegetation, and on bare sand-spits, flat rocks or coral reefs [12]. In Persian Gulf breeds in Sheedvar [4,7,11,13], Gabre Nakhoda and Dara [8], Nakhilo, Om-Al-Gorm and Tahmadon [7,8,11], Banifaror [5,8]. Breeding population of this species has been shown on table 4. Scott has reported the breeding of this species in 1970s in Persian Gulf as follows: Kharku island (600 pairs), Nakhilo (1000 pairs) and Sheedvar (10 nest in 1972; 10 nest in 1977) and Om-al-Gorm (15000 pairs, Table 4) Scott has not visited the Banifaror Island during 1970s, thus, the status of breeding population of Lesser Crested Tern is not clear in Banifaror in 1970s, but the considerable population of this species had bred on the island and average percent of breeding population was 9.56 percent in 2009-2012, (Table 4). Breeding population of Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus Bengalensis declined from 2009 to 2012, but increased from1970s to 2012, (Table 4).

Islands 1970[7] 2009 2010 2011 2012
Banifarorr ? 2310 2101 1987 1876
GabreNakhoda 0 1500 3127 850 130
Boneh 0 45 0 0 0
Dara 0 142 0 0 0
Nakhilo 1000 21500 18170 15342 14321
Om-Al-Gorm 15000 0 0 0 0
Khan 0 1110 453 654 543
Sheedvar 10 3320 452 321 432
Kharkuo 600 0 0 0 0
Total (a) 16010(?) 29927(7.71) 22412(9.37) 19154(10.32) 17302(10.84)

Table 4: Breeding pairs of Lesser Crested Tern on Banifaror and other islands of Persian Gulf, 2009-2012. (a)=The numbers in the parentheses are percent of breeding population of Lesser Crested Tern in Banifaror.

Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus: Bridled Tern breeds on islands and in some areas, on mainland, nesting under bushes on sand and coral islets. In Persian Gulf region, breeds on Dara, Bone, Om-Al-Gorm, Nakhilo, Sheedvar and Khabre Nakhoda Islands [5,7,8]. Maximum 32340 breeding pairs were on Banifaror in 2009 (Table 2). In Kuwait, 2000-3000 pairs breeds on Kubbar Island [12]. Scott has reported the breeding population of this species as follow: Kharku Island (250-300 pairs), Morghu (5500 pairs), Om-Al-Goram (1000 pairs), Nakhilo (15000 pairs), Sheedvar (3000-3500 pairs, Scott, 2007). This species had not bred in Kharku in 2009-2012, (Table 5). Average percent of breeding population of this species was 51.82 on Banifaror, (35.53 in 2009, 50, 95 in 2010, 57.00 in 2011 and 63.83 % in 2012, Table 5).

Islands 1970 [7] 2009 2010 2011 2012
Banifaror ? 32340 31983 31210 29875
Um-Al-Gorm 1000 450 453 312 101
Nakhilo 15000 17320 16543 14320 11231
Sheedvar 3000-3500 15320 12342 8765 5432
Khan ? 135 0 0 0
Boneh ? 150 122 0 0
GhabreNakhoda ? 250 1321 1231 946
Dara ? 50 0 0 0
Kharkuo 250-300 0 0 0 0
Khan 5500 0 0 0 0
Total (a) 25300(?) 66015 62764 54750 46803 (63.83%)
Percent=? -35.53% -50.95% -57.00%

Table 5: Breeding pairs of Bridled Tern in Banifaror and other islands of Persian Gulf, 2009-2012.

Swift Tern Thalasseus Bergii: In Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal present all year [14], occurring along entire seaboard of Arabia, southern Iran, India subcontinent, and Burma to western Malaya [15,16], but movements in relation to Natta colony unknown in absence of ringing [17]. Nest site is on bare ground or among scattered bushes [13]. Swift Tern Thalasseus bergii breed in colony. This species breeds on Persian Gulf Islands mixed with Lesser Crested Tern. Maximum breeding population of this species was 145 pairs on Banifaror in 2009. At least 40 breeding pairs reported in 1975 on Om-al-Gorm (Um-al-Gorm), 30-40 pairs on Sheedvar [7]. Swift Tern and lesser Crested Tern had been bred in a colony in a mixed manner in Banifaror in three years. Average of breeding population of this species was 10.07 percent in Banifaror (7.48 in 2009, 7.11 in 2010, 10.38 in 2011 and 15.31 in 2012, Table 6).

Islands 1970 [7] 2009 2010 2011 2012
Banifaror 0 145 156 125 89
Om-al-Gorm 40 0 0 0 0
Nakhilo 0 1420 1754 875 435
Sheedvar 30-40 120 123 54 12
Khan 0 135 28 120 45
Boneh 0 8 0 0 0
GhabreNakhoda 0 110 132 30 0
Total (a) 30-80(0%) 1938(7.48%) 2193(7.11%) 1204(10.38%) 581(15.31%)

Table 6: Breeding pairs of Swift Tern in Banifaror and other islands of Persian Gulf, 2009-2012. (a)=The numbers in parentheses are percent of breeding population of Swift Tern in Banifaror.

Caspian tern Sterna Caspica: The breeding population of the Caspian Terns is low in the Persian Gulf islands. Between 5-10 breeding pairs reported on Om-Al-Gorm and 5-10 pairs on Helleh delta in 1975 (Figure 4 and Table 6) [7]. Status of the breeding population of Caspian Tern is not clear in 1970s and 1980s, so there is not enough information about breeding status of this species before 2009 in Banifaror. Since 2009 a small colony of this species had bred on Banifaror (Table 7).

Islands 1970 [7] Pandam (2002) 2009 2010 2011 2012
Banifaror ? 0 67 45 56 45
Gabber Nakhoda 0 120 0 0 0 0
Boneh 0 60 0 0 0 0
Dara 0 30 0 0 0 0
Khan 0 5 0 0 0 0
Om-Al-Gorm 10-May 0 0 0 0 0
Helleh delta 10-May 0 0 0 0 0
Total (a) 10-20(?) 215(0%) 67(100%) 45(100%) 56(100%) 45(100%)

Table 7: Breeding pairs of Caspian Tern in Banifaror and Other island of Persian Gulf, 2009-2012. (a)=The numbers in the parentheses are percent of breeding population of Caspian Tern in Banifaror.

Western reef heron Egretta gularis: This species had bred on 6 islands in 2009-2012 (Table 1). Breeding population of this species were 14-13 pairs in 2009-2012 on Bani-Faro. Maximum were on Nakhilo, 92 nests, in 2012, (Table 8). Breeding population of this species increased from125 pairs in 2009 to 289 pairs in 2012 in the six islands; it is increased more than twice. There was three breeding colony of Western Reef Heron on Persian Gulf islands in 1970s, 26 pairs on Om-Al-Gorm in June 1975, 20 pairs on Khan in June 1975 and 8-12 pairs on Sheedvar Island in 1972 (Table 8) [7].

Islands 1970s [7] 2009 2010 2011 2012
Banifaror ? 0 14 12 13
Gabber Nakhoda ? 12 13 14 8
Nakhilo ? 34 44 74 92
Sheedvar 12-Aug 21 13 17 12
Khan 20 45 77 67 72
Om-Al-Gorm 26 13 11 54 92
Total (a) 58(?) 125(0%) 172(8.13%) 238(5.04%) 289(4.4%)

Table 8: Breeding pairs of Western Reef Heron on Banifaror and other islands. (a)=The numbers in the parentheses are percent of breeding population of Western Reef Heron in Banifaror.

Discussion

Terns, waders and gulls form main animal group heavily dependent in the Persian Gulf islands for their continued existence. There are many species of these seabirds on the islands and also on Banifaror, but six species in particular nest in vast number on the islands.

These are the Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis, Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis, White-checked Tern Sterna repressa, Swift Tern Thalasseus bergii, Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus and Caspian Tern sterna caspia. All six species occur together on Banifaror Island, but each has distinctive nesting habitats, (Figure 2). The Banifaror island is more sensitive habitat during summer, because, 36.69% of five terns species and more the 4.39% of Breeding population of Western Reef Heron (Table 8) of Persian Gulf islands had bred on this island in 2009-2012 (Tables 1-7). The Banifaror Island also was the only island in Persian Gulf that Caspian Tern had bred on it in 2011 and 2012 (Table 7). There is not information about breeding status of these species on Banifaror during 1970s, because none of the ornithologist have been visited this island before 2009. First time, I visited the island in 2009 and continued till 2012 and count the breeding species of birds. The population of breeding tern's species decreased from 34862 pairs in 2009 to 32017 pairs in 2012 (Table 2). The population of White-checked Tern also declined from 300,000 pairs (1970s) to 132 in 2009 on Sheedvar Island (Table 3). For the reason as mention below, the sensitivity of Banifaror is more than the other islands. Scott reported that the tern's species had bred on Kharg and Kharku islands in 1970s, but in 2009- 2012 none of the tern's species had bred on these islands. There are two main reasons for these changes; the first main reason is the developing of oil industries and occupying all surface of Khark by oil installation and petrochemical industries, and establishment of army in Kharku Island in 1980s. The second one is increasing of the House Crow Corus splendens population in Khark to more than 5500 individuals that finds the eggs and chicks of terns and eats them [8]. May be these reasons cased that all breeding tern species moved from the Khark and Kharku islands to Banifaror in 2009-2012. In fact the Khark and Kharku islands replaced by Banifaror.

Fluctuation of breeding population water birds, are biological indicators for environment of island. Moving the breeding population of terns from Khark and Kharku Island confirmed this theory. All of these can be regarded as being of conservation importance equal to that of the avifauna. It is also believed that some colonies of breeding terns have been collapsed in the past due to continuous disturbance of breeding site by fishermen in the Banifaror and cased the breeding population of terns decreased. Besides Fishermen, natural predators, namely the Black Rat Rattus rattus, Turnstone Arenaria interpress frequently interfere in success of terns [8]. Black Rat is often noted as a predator of Cory’s Shearwater chicks [18]. Predation of chicks by Black Rats is noted where their density is high [18]. There is a considerable population of Black Rat in Banifaror [8]. Banifaror Island regularly support huge numbers of breeding water birds, it meet the Ramsar Convention criteria and therefore deserve to be designated as Ramsar Sites and as a sensitive habitat for breeding sites of terns (Tables 2-6). Maximum number of breeding population of terns and Western Reef Heron which have been censuses in 2009-2012 in the Banifaror was 34785 and14 pairs respectively (Table 2). The fluctuations of the number of breeding population of terns could be due to variation in the local environment of the island. Many components of the environment affect to select the breeding place, but in Banifaror the main factor is vegetation cover and presence of sandy safe place on the island, because some of the fishermen when resting on the island, they collect the eggs of birds and cut the bushes for burni Tuck ng for food cocking, and when they cutting bushes and walking on the island, they break all the eggs under their foot. The Bridled Tern breeds under the bushes, in mid part of the Banifaror which covered by vegetation, (Figure 2) and sandy part without vegetation is located on North West of island and Lesser Crested and Swift terns breed on this part of island, (Figure 2). There are small part on island which covered by sabulous (pebble) and White Cheeked Tern breeds on it. The Caspian Tern breeds on south west of island on small part of sandy place. Structure of beaches of the island is suitable for anchor of fishermen boats, so when they are going to land and rest or stay a night on the island, they land from all around of beaches of the island, and disturb the breeding population of Bridled tern and other species on the sandy part of island. The general habitat greatly influences the presence or absence of the through the restriction of nesting and breeding areas, nutrition, temperature, security, water pollution, natural resources, fishermen, etc. Decreasing of breeding population of water birds throughout island, and was attributed to the food and security provided during breeding time.

Management and Conservation implications

The island is required to be stopped appropriately to check the fishermen boats anchor to prevent further Population loss of breeding birds. Strengthen enforcement of existing restrictions on the hunting of migratory birds.

To give strict guidelines to the Petro-cemical Companies and oil tankers to stop the west water releasing to the Persian Gulf at least during the migratory seasons of birds.

Measurements of water chemistry should be taken on a regular basis to allow long-term monitoring of Changes in physico-chemical parameters around the island.

Anthropogenic factors are the root causes for wetland degradation and habitat destruction of water birds. Therefore, conservation education and awareness programmers are essential for local people, students, fishing community and visitors to the Island. Publication of factsheets, checklists and pocket guide about biodiversity of Persian Gulf islands will help to widen the local knowledge among conservationists. It is recommended to initiate study of bird diversity and population status immediately with periodic monitoring in all islands for their conservation and management.

Suggestion

Concerning the breeding population of the terns and existence of other water birds during different time of year especially migration and breeding season, registration the Baniofaror Island in Ramsar Convention as a Ramsar sites is suggesting, if this could be achieved, a higher level of management and better degree of protection would be expected for this island. During the breeding season, it is necessary to prevent all kinds of disturbance on the island, e.g. egg-collecting by local people and uncontrolled visits by other people to island where tern’s species regularly breed. As an urgent measure, it would be helpful to prepare a series of guidelines for controlling human access to the island and keeping people outside the tern’s colonies to avoid the destruction of nests. The development of awareness programs for local people and fishermen would certainly benefit the breeding birds on the Persian Gulf islands.

Acknowledgment

This research project has been financially supported by the Department of the Environment Office of Bandar Abbas Province in 2009. I would like to thank to DOE Staff in Bandar Abbas province for their advice in Particular to the Mr. Khaleghi and Mr. Ghaderi who helped in the counts of the nests and assisted with transportation to island.

References

  1. Scott DA (2008) Rare Birds in Iran in the Late 1960s and 1970s. Podoces 3: 1-30.
  2. Wetland International (2007) The Asian Waterbird Census Development Strategy 2007-2015.
  3. Wetland International (2006) Waterbird population estimates. (4thedn) Netherlands.
  4. Behrouzi-Rad B (2008) Dictionary of waterbirds of Persian Gulf, Published by Department of Environment 165.
  5. Behrouzi-Rad B (2013) Breeding Species of Waterbirds on 10 Islands of Persian Gulf in 2009, Octa Journal of Environmental Research 1: 52-64.
  6. Scott DA (1995) A Directory of Wetlands in the Middle East. Switzerland 43-221.
  7. Scott DA (2007) A Review of the Status of the Breeding Waterbirds in Iran in the 1970. Podoces 2: 1-21.
  8. Behrouzi-Rad B (2009) Sensitive Habitat of Waterbirds of Persian Gulf. Iran 343.
  9. Blaber SJM, Milton DA, Farmer MJ, Smith GC (1998) Sea bird breeding population on the far Northern Great Barrier Reef Australia: Trends and Influences. Emu 98: 44-57.
  10. Behrouzi-Rad B, Tayfe FH (2008) Nest Counts for Western Reef Heron and Four Sterna Species (repressa, anaethetus, bergii, bengalensis) on Nakhilo Island in the Persian Gulf from 2005-2007. Podoces 3: 45–52
  11. Cramp S (1983) Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Waders to Gulls Oxford University Press.
  12. Cornwallis L (1975) Breeding Terns in SheedvarandMond protected Area Internal report Tehran, Iran.
  13. Tuck GS (1974) Seabirds of the Persian Gulf (The Gulf) and Gulf of Oman a Survey 1958–1973. Sea Swallow 23: 7-21.
  14. Ali S, Ripley SD (1969) Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. (3rdedn) India.
  15. Fasola M, Canova L (1991) Colony site selection by eight Species of Gulls and Terns Breeding in Valli di Comacchio. Italy.
  16. Jean-Pierre B (1989) Status and Distribution of the Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica in the Western Palearctic, Proceeding of the 2nd Mediterranean Seabird Symposium Calvia.
Citation: Behrouz Behrouzi-Rad (2014) Breeding Population of Birds on Banifaror Island in the Persian Gulf. J Coast Dev 17: 384.

Copyright: © 2014 Behrouzi-Rad B, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.