DOCSLIB.ORG

Publ. 28 December 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Publ. 28 December 2020 190 Indian Birds VOL. 16 NO. 6 (PUBL. 28 DECEMBER 2020) Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola in the resting on the ground, while the others were moving around. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh region After capturing images [197–199], the birds were identified On 28 December 2019, at Osman Sagar Lake (17.38° N, 78.30° E) as pratincoles, presumably Oriental Pratincoles Pratincola around 800 h a flock of brownish birds was spotted on the dry maldivarum as they are the more regular species (https://ebird. lakebed; the birds had a forked tail, and a black facial ring that org/barchart?r=L3169524&yr=all&m=) in the region. After a surrounds the throat. couple of minutes, the entire flock flew towards the other side of the lake. When we analysed the photographs and referred identification guides (Driessens & Svensson 2005; Grimmett et al. 2011), we found several field ID features matching a Collared PratincoleG. pratincola, but none of them matching an Oriental Pratincole, as listed below. 1. Tail-fork and projection: Tail appears to project well beyond wing tips. In the second, it still appears to project beyond wing tips. A diagnostic character for Collared [198,199] 2. Tail pattern: Outer tail feathers looks long and tail fork is also deep which is diagnostic of Collared [197, 198] 3. Nostril shape: slit-shaped, a supporting character for Collared [197] 4. Colour of upper parts: Sandy brown that is okay for Collared. The Collared Pratincole is mostly a migratory bird. It breeds 197. Collared Pratincole showing long tail projection and slit like nostril shape. in the Mediterranean region, Middle East, South-west Asia, Afghanistan, southern Europe, Pakistan, and north-western India. It has occurred in several peninsular Indian states (eBird 2020)—with specimens, or clear photographs from Odisha (Karuthedathu et al. 2014), Maharasthra (Abdulali 1970; Patil et al. 2019), Karnataka (Sadagopan 2014), and Tamil Nadu (Abdulali 1956). It has not been reported during the mid-winter census from either Andhra Pradesh or Telangana between 1987–1996 (Pittie & Taher 2004). There is one prior report from Kolleru (Lakshmi et al. 2015), however details are unavailable to ascertain the veracity of its identification, or whether it actually referred to an Oriental Pratincole when they were considered as one species. Another detailed study of wetlands in Srikakulam (Sravana Kumar et al. 2014) also did not yield this species despite its proximity to Odisha, from where there are confirmed records. Hence, ours appears to be the first definitive report of 198. Collared Pratincole showing the tail fork. this species from Telangana. References Abdulali, H., 1956. Extension of the known range of the Collared Pratincole, Glareola pratincola pratincola (Linnaeus), in India and Ceylon. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 53 (4): 701–702. Abdulali, H., 1970. A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society-7. Scolopacinae (part), Phalaropinae, Rostratulidae, Recurvirostridae, Dromadidae, Burhinidae, Glareolidae, Stercorariidae, Laridae. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 67 (2): 279–298. Driessens, G., & Svensson, L., 2005. Identification of Collared Pratincole and Oriental Pratincole - a critical review of characters. Dutch Birding 27: 1–35. Website URl: https://www.dutchbirding.nl/journal/pdf/DB_2005_27_1.pdf. [Accessed on 20 September 2020.] eBird. 2020. Collared Pratincole. Maps: https://ebird.org/india/map/colpra. [Accessed on 5 September 2020.] Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 2011. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. 2nd ed. All: M. N. V. Vinay London: Oxford University Press & Christopher Helm. Pp. 1–528. 199. Two Collared Pratincoles with sandy brown upperparts. Karuthedathu, D., Das, V., Praveen J., Ramachandran, V., Shurpali, S., & Nair, M. V., 2014. Some significant avian records from Odisha. Indian BIRDS 9 (1): 14–18. The flock consisted of eight birds. When we approached for Lakshmi, B. B., Rao, B. T., Rao, K. R., & Naidu, Y. P., 2015. Diversity, distribution and better observation, the entire flock flew about 30 m farther from status of birds of Kolleru Lake - a Ramsar Site in Andhra Pradesh. International us. We followed the flock and observed that two of the birds were Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology 4 (7): Correspondence 191 5759–5784. Website URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296514346_ Redstart, as it had a prominent white band across its forehead. Diversity_Distribution_and_Status_of_Birds_of_Kolleru_Lake_-A_Ramsar_Site_ We clicked some photographs and observed the bird carefully in_Andhra_Pradesh. [Accessed on 20 September 2020.] [200]. Besides the prominent white band across its forehead Patil, P. J., More, P. V., & Vibhandik, A. R., 2019. First sighting record of a pair of Collared Pratincoles (Glareola pratincola) wintering for 18 days in Dhule District and extending beyond its eyes, it had a grey crown and mantle, of Maharashtra. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 57 (4): 45–46 (2017). a black throat that did not extend onto its breast, orange under Pittie, A., & Taher, S. A., 2004. Mid-winter waterbird census in Andhra Pradesh: parts, and a white belly. 1987–1996. Hyderabad, India: Birdwatchers’ Society of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. Pp. 1–142. Website URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B- u8pdUedG35RWtMOFB0WjNyblk/view. [Accessed on 20 September 2020.] Sadagopan, A., 2014. Snapshot sightings: Collared Pratincole from Bengaluru, Karnataka. Indian BIRDS 9 (5&6): 168A. Sravan Kumar R., Rao, V. V., Sasikala, C., & Nagulu, V., 2014. Wetland birds of Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 1 (6): 42–49. Website URL: https://www.researchgate. net/publication/313030038_Wetland_birds_of_Srikakulam_District_Andhra_ Pradesh_India. [Accessed on 20 September 2020.] SS Cheema,2019, Birding in Ameenpur lake, Hyderabad, Website URL: http:// cheemablog.blogspot.com/.[Accessed on 20 September 2020] – John Peters & M. V. N. Vinay John Peters, Plot No 13 Noah’s Ark, Mythri Enclave, Bolarum, Secunderabad, Telangana 500010, India. E-mail: [email protected] M. V. N. Vinay, Plot No 182, Railway Employee’s Colony, Bolarum, Secunderabad 500010, Telangana, India. E-mail: [email protected] Review of Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus sightings in India and first record from Irfan Jeelani Kangan, Kashmir Valley, India The Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus is a passage migrant in northern Balochistan and Chitral, while it’s a vagrant 200. Common Redstart Photogtaph from Kangan, Kashmir. to India (Ripley 1982; Rasmussen & Anderton 2012; Praveen et al. 2020). Two subspecies of Common Redstart exist, the nominate is found all over Europe, reaching into Siberia, and We collated past reports of the Common Redstart in India, the south-eastern subspecies P. p. samamisicus is distributed chronologically, in Table 1. After the first reports in Ladakh in from the Crimean Peninsula through Turkey, the Middle East, 1982, it is clear that more birdwatchers are reporting this bird in into Central Asia (Collar & Christie 2020; Snow & Perrins 1998). recent years from that area and there are ten confirmed reports Here, we present a review of sightings of the Common Redstart from the country rendering it no longer a vagrant. However, in India, and report on the first sighting of a Common Redstart apart from a single photograph of a possible male Common in Kangan town in the Kashmir Valley, Union Territory of Jammu Redstart from Nishat, Srinagar, Kashmir Valley, on 10 February & Kashmir. 2020 (Haris 2020), there are no other reports from Kashmir On 12 April 2020, while surveying for research work on Valley (Suhail et al. 2020) and, hence, our’s seems to be the the Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii along River Sindh at Kangan first definitive one. (34.15°N, 74.54°E), we spotted a bird, in the bushes on We thank Asad R. Rahmani for his valuable suggestions in the river bank, some 20 m away. At first sight, we thought it an earlier version of the manuscript. We thank an anonymous was a Black Redstart P. ochruros but soon the bird perched reviewer, and Praveeen J., for improving the manuscript and in the open and we could clearly see that it was not a Black providing some references. Table 1. Sighting records of the Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus in India S. No. Location No. Of Birds Sex Date Reference 1. Thikse, Leh, Ladakh 03 Male 05 May 1982 Delany et al. (2014) 2. Thikse, Leh, Ladakh 03 Male 06 May 1982 Delany et al. (2014) 3. Thikse, Leh, Ladakh 03 Male 25 May 1982 Delany et al. (2014) 4. Tangtse, Leh, Ladakh 01 Male August 2018 Namgail (2018) 5. Diskit, Leh 01 Male 17 May 2019 Anonymous (2019a) 6. Spangmik, Pangong Leh, Ladakh 01 Male 20 May 2019 Anonymous (2019b) 7. Leh, Ladakh 01 Male 18 June 2019 Ghosh (2019) 8. Thol Bird Sanctuary, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 01 Male of samamisicus ssp. December 2019 Bhat (2018) 9. Boris Gilgit-Baltistan 01 Male 25 December 2019 Imran (2019) 10. Kangan, Kashmir Valley 01 Male 12 April 2020 This work.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Proposal for the Inclusion of Species on the Appendices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
    1 / 2 Proposal II/7 PROPOSAL FOR THE INCLUSION OF SPECIES ON THE APPENDICES OF THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES OF WILD ANIMALS A. PROPOSAL: Listing the entire population of Glareola nuchalis on Appendix II. B. PROPONENT: Government of Kenya. C. SUPPORTING STATEMENT: 1. Taxon: 1.1 Class: Aves 1.2 Order: Charadriiformes 1.3 Family: Glareolidae 1.4 Genus/species/subspecies: Glareola nuchalis 1.5 Common names: English: Rock Pratincole, White-collared Pratincole French: Glarède aureole 2. Biological data 2.1 Distribution Distributed in West and central Africa. Scarce in eastern Africa. 2.2 Population No detailed census data available, but the best guess information available puts the number at >25,000 within its distribution range. 2.3 Habitat Exposed rocks in large rivers and streams used for breeding. May rest on sandbars, when rivers flood. Also found in coastal localities and other inland waters. 2.4 Migrations Locally common resident and regular intra-African migrant. Migrates within its distribution range. Most post breeding dispersal occurs during the wet season. 3. Threat data 3.1 Direct threats Unpredictable fluctuations of water levels of local rivers during breeding seasons affect the breeding performance. Sand mining along rivers has severe impacts on the availability of suitable habitats in the riparian areas for nesting. 3.2 Habitat destruction Riparian land use activities within the range states limits the availability of suitable roosting and nesting areas along rivers. 3.3 Indirect threats The loss and degradation of catchments for all wetlands within its range. 3.4 Threats connected especially with migrations None known.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Emerald Plant Species in Albania List of Emerald Animal
    List of Emerald plant species in Albania Marsilia quadrifolia Solenanthus albanicus List of Emerald animal species in Albania Mammals CHIROPTERA Rhinolophidae Rhinolophus blasii Rhinolophus euryale Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Rhinolophus hipposideros Vespertilionidae Myotis blythii Myotis myotis Myotis capaccinii Myotis emarginatus Miniopterus schreibersi CARNIVORA Canidae Canis lupus Ursidae Ursus arctos Mustelidae Lutra lutra Felidae Lynx lynx Phocidae Monachus monachus ARTIODACTYLA Bovidae Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica Birds GAVIIFORMES Gavidae Gavia arctica Gavia stellata PODICIPEDIFORMES Podicipedidae Podiceps auritus PROCELLARIFORMES Hydrobatidae Hydrobates pelagicus Procellariidae Calonectris diomedea PELECANIFORMES Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax pygmeus Phalacrocorax aristotelis Pelecanidae Pelecanus crispus CICONIIFORMES Ardeidae Ardea purpurea Ardeola ralloides Botaurus stellaris Egretta garzetta Ixobrychus minutus Egretta alba (Casmerodius albus) Nycticorax nycticorax Ciconiidae Ciconia nigra Ciconia ciconia Threskiornithidae Plegadis falcinellus Platalea leucorodia Phoenicopteridae Phoenicopterus ruber ANSERIFORMES Anatidae Anser albifrons Aythya nyroca Cygnus columbianus bewickii Mergus albellus Oxyura leucocephala Branta ruficollis FALCONIFORMES Accipitridae Accipiter gentilis Accipiter nisus Aquila clanga Aquila chrysaetos Aquila pomarina Circus aeruginosus Circus cyaneus Circus macrourus Circus pygargus Circaetus gallicus Hieraaetus fasciatus Hieraaetus pennatus Milvus migrans Milvus milvus Pernis apivorus Haliaeetus albicilla
    [Show full text]
  • Redwinged Pratincole Sometimes Mixes with Flocks of Blackwinged Pratincole, but the Nature of Such Encounters Has Not Been Documented
    454 Glareolidae: coursers and pratincoles plain system. Along the Chobe, large migrant flocks occurred in June (Randall 1994b). Reporting rates for Zimbabwe (Zone 5) were highest July–October, which may reflect movement of Okavango birds to the middle Zambezi River when the latter river’s water- levels are low. Breeding: Breeding is primarily in the late dry and early wet season: September–October in Mozambique and August–December elsewhere in southern Africa, usually when water-levels are falling or at their low- est. In Zimbabwe it may breed as late as February, but the peak is in November (Irwin 1981). Atlas data con- firm a spring/summer breeding season. Interspecific relationships: In the summer months the Redwinged Pratincole sometimes mixes with flocks of Blackwinged Pratincole, but the nature of such encounters has not been documented. The flocks are usually separated by the Redwing’s greater preference for habitats near water. Historical distribution and conservation: Although Stark & Sclater (1906) regarded the Redwinged Redwinged Pratincole Pratincole as ‘an accidental visitor’ to South Africa, this is Rooivlerksprinkaanvoël unlikely to have been the case even then. Clancey (1964b) cited breeding records near Isipingo (2930DD) in 1907 and Glareola pratincola 1908, although numbers were small, and there are breeding records from several coastal and low-lying localities in north- The subspecies G. p. fuelleborni ranges from Kenya to ern KwaZulu-Natal (e.g. Mkuze, St Lucia, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal; breeding Redwinged Pratincoles in South Mtunzini, Mtubatuba and Umvoti). Africa and most of Zimbabwe belong to this race. Birds from Although listed as ‘rare’ in South Africa by Brooke the species’ stronghold in the region, the Okavango–Linyanti– (1984b), the race fuelleborni is a common bird over its lim- upper Zambezi floodplain system, have been described as the ited breeding range in southern Africa and ranges widely fur- race riparia (Clancey 1980a).
    [Show full text]
  • Glareola Pratincola in a Breeding Colony
    Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 40.2 (2017) 147 Activity patterns of collared pratincoles Glareola pratincola in a breeding colony I. Galván Galván, I., 2017. Activity patterns of collared pratincoles Glareola pratincola in a breeding colony. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 40.2: 147–152. Abstract Activity patterns of collared pratincoles Glareola pratincola in a breeding colony.— The collared pratincole Glareola pratincola is a declining wader species, but most aspects of its biology are poorly known. In this study, an attempt is made to characterize the basic behavioural repertoire of the species, searching for differences between sexes. Focal observations of the most common activities were obtained in a breeding colony in southwestern Spain. Pratincoles did not equally distribute their time among types of activity, but spent more time in alert behaviour than feeding and moving, and more time preening than moving in the colony site. Males devoted more time to vigilance for predators than females, and both sexes increased the time spent resting and decreased the time for vigilance as the breeding season progressed. These sex–related and seasonal effects on the vigilance behaviour suggest that competition for females and ambient temperature influence the daily activity pattern of collared pratincoles during breeding. Key words: Collared pratincole, Colonial breeding, Time budget, Vigilance, Waders Resumen Patrones de actividad de la canastera común Glareola pratincola en una colonia de reproducción.— La canastera común Glareola pratincola es una especie limícola en retroceso; no obstante, se conoce poco sobre la mayor parte de los aspectos relativos a su biología. En este estudio se pretende aportar información sobre los patrones de comportamiento básicos de la especie y se buscan diferencias entre sexos.
    [Show full text]
  • Autumn-Winter Breeding by Cream-Coloured Coursers Cursorius Cursor Is More Common Than Previously Reported
    Autumn-winter breeding by Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor is more common than previously reported 1 2 3 Mohamed Amezian , Patrick Bergie r & Abdeljebbar Qninb a 1Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, PO Box 2121, Tétouan, Morocco Corresponding author: [email protected] 2Go-South, 4 Avenue Folco de Baroncelli – 13210 Saint Rémy de Provence, France 3Université Mohammed V, Institut Scientifique, Avenue Ibn Battouta, BP 703 – 10090 Agdal, Rabat, Morocco Amezian, M., Bergier, P. & Qninba, A. 2014. Autumn-winter breeding by Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor is more common than previously reported. Wader Study Group Bull . 121(3): 177 –180. Keywords: arid regions, Cream-coloured Courser, Cursorius cursor , Western Palearctic, unseasonal breeding Until the end of the 20th century there were only limited numbers of autumn-winter breeding records of the Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor . Here, we compile several autumn-winter breeding observations obtained mainly by amateur birders (citizen scientists) and we show that this phenomenon is more common when local conditions (especially rainfall) are favourable. These observations are from several parts of the species’ range, as far apart as Socotra Island (Yemen), Oman, and the Canary Islands (Spain), although the majority are from the region of Oued Ad-Deheb, S Morocco. INTRODUCTION these are the only references in the literature to winter breeding of Cream-coloured Coursers from its entire The breeding range of the Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius breeding range. Moreover, apart from Cape Verde, there is cursor is wide and extends from the Atlantic archipelagos no other mention of winter breeding in the Western of Cape Verde and the Canary Islands to North Africa and Palearctic or in the Arabian Peninsula including Socotra.
    [Show full text]
  • SHOREBIRDS (Charadriiformes*) CARE MANUAL *Does Not Include Alcidae
    SHOREBIRDS (Charadriiformes*) CARE MANUAL *Does not include Alcidae CREATED BY AZA CHARADRIIFORMES TAXON ADVISORY GROUP IN ASSOCIATION WITH AZA ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Care Manual Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Charadriiformes Taxon Advisory Group. (2014). Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Care Manual. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Original Completion Date: October 2013 Authors and Significant Contributors: Aimee Greenebaum: AZA Charadriiformes TAG Vice Chair, Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA Alex Waier: Milwaukee County Zoo, USA Carol Hendrickson: Birmingham Zoo, USA Cindy Pinger: AZA Charadriiformes TAG Chair, Birmingham Zoo, USA CJ McCarty: Oregon Coast Aquarium, USA Heidi Cline: Alaska SeaLife Center, USA Jamie Ries: Central Park Zoo, USA Joe Barkowski: Sedgwick County Zoo, USA Kim Wanders: Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA Mary Carlson: Charadriiformes Program Advisor, Seattle Aquarium, USA Sara Perry: Seattle Aquarium, USA Sara Crook-Martin: Buttonwood Park Zoo, USA Shana R. Lavin, Ph.D.,Wildlife Nutrition Fellow University of Florida, Dept. of Animal Sciences , Walt Disney World Animal Programs Dr. Stephanie McCain: AZA Charadriiformes TAG Veterinarian Advisor, DVM, Birmingham Zoo, USA Phil King: Assiniboine Park Zoo, Canada Reviewers: Dr. Mike Murray (Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA) John C. Anderson (Seattle Aquarium volunteer) Kristina Neuman (Point Blue Conservation Science) Sarah Saunders (Conservation Biology Graduate Program,University of Minnesota) AZA Staff Editors: Maya Seaman, MS, Animal Care Manual Editing Consultant Candice Dorsey, PhD, Director of Animal Programs Debborah Luke, PhD, Vice President, Conservation & Science Cover Photo Credits: Jeff Pribble Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds of BARBADOS
    BOU CHECKLIST SERIES: 24 The Birds of BARBADOS P.A. Buckley, Edward B. Massiah Maurice B. Hutt, Francine G. Buckley and Hazel F. Hutt v Contents Dedication iii Editor’s Foreword ix Preface xi Acknowledgements xv Authors’ Biographies xviii List of tables xx List of figures xx List of plates xx The Barbados Ecosystem Introduction 1 Topography 3 Geology 7 Geomorphology 7 Pedology 8 Climate, weather and winds 9 Freshwater and wetlands 13 Vegetation and floristics 14 Non-avian vertebrates 16 Freshwater fishes 16 Amphibians 17 Reptiles 17 Mammals 18 Historical synopsis 19 Prehistoric era 19 Colonial and modern eras 20 Conservation concerns 23 Avifauna 25 Historical accounts 25 Museum collectors and collections 26 Field observations 27 Glossary 27 vi Frequency of Occurrence and Numerical Abundance 28 Vagrancy 29 The Species of Barbados Birds 30 Vicariance, Dispersal and Geographical Origins 36 Historical Changes in the Barbados Avifauna 38 Extinction versus Introduction 39 The Role of Vagrancy 39 Endemism 42 Molecular Insights 42 Seabirds 45 Shorebirds 45 Land-birds 46 Habitat Limitations 46 Core Barbados Species 47 Potential Additions to the Barbados Avifauna 47 Annual North- and Southbound Migration 48 Elevational Migration 49 Recovery of Ringed Birds 49 Radar and Mist-net Studies of Migration 50 Inter-island Movements by Ostensibly Resident Land-birds 52 Austral and Trinidad & Tobago Migrants 53 Overwintering Migrants 54 Oversummering Migrants 54 Fossil and Archaeological Birds 55 Research Agenda 56 Systematic List Introduction 59 Taxonomy
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPEAN BIRDS of CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, Trends and National Responsibilities
    EUROPEAN BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, trends and national responsibilities COMPILED BY ANNA STANEVA AND IAN BURFIELD WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM CONTENTS Introduction 4 86 ITALY References 9 89 KOSOVO ALBANIA 10 92 LATVIA ANDORRA 14 95 LIECHTENSTEIN ARMENIA 16 97 LITHUANIA AUSTRIA 19 100 LUXEMBOURG AZERBAIJAN 22 102 MACEDONIA BELARUS 26 105 MALTA BELGIUM 29 107 MOLDOVA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 32 110 MONTENEGRO BULGARIA 35 113 NETHERLANDS CROATIA 39 116 NORWAY CYPRUS 42 119 POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC 45 122 PORTUGAL DENMARK 48 125 ROMANIA ESTONIA 51 128 RUSSIA BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is a partnership of 48 national conservation organisations and a leader in bird conservation. Our unique local to global FAROE ISLANDS DENMARK 54 132 SERBIA approach enables us to deliver high impact and long term conservation for the beneit of nature and people. BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is one of FINLAND 56 135 SLOVAKIA the six regional secretariats that compose BirdLife International. Based in Brus- sels, it supports the European and Central Asian Partnership and is present FRANCE 60 138 SLOVENIA in 47 countries including all EU Member States. With more than 4,100 staf in Europe, two million members and tens of thousands of skilled volunteers, GEORGIA 64 141 SPAIN BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, together with its national partners, owns or manages more than 6,000 nature sites totaling 320,000 hectares. GERMANY 67 145 SWEDEN GIBRALTAR UNITED KINGDOM 71 148 SWITZERLAND GREECE 72 151 TURKEY GREENLAND DENMARK 76 155 UKRAINE HUNGARY 78 159 UNITED KINGDOM ICELAND 81 162 European population sizes and trends STICHTING BIRDLIFE EUROPE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cream-Coloured Courser
    The Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor): The relationship between habitat preference and behaviour: A case study of geodiversity underpinning biodiversity in Lanzarote. Matthew Scarborough Supervisor: Cynthia Burek BI6110 – Dissertation BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour 1 Abstract The Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) is a poorly studied bird species with limited knowledge of its general biology and behaviours. Their distribution spans most of the Middle-East, northern Africa and the two easternmost islands of the Canary archipelago, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The aim of this research is to determine whether Cream-coloured Coursers have a habitat preference within the semi-desert environments of Lanzarote and to determine the behavioural relationship it has with its preferred habitat. Abiotic and biotic habitat features were sampled at 25 sites of known regular Cream-coloured Courser occurrences and 25 sites where Coursers have never been seen. These sites were located using the knowledge of the conservation group Desert watch. Results showed that the Cream-coloured Coursers preferred areas with higher percentage cover of A.tenuifolius and C.tomentosa and avoided areas with higher percentage cover of L.arborescens and tall shrubs (p<0.05). Comparison of observed Courser behaviour and habitat features between sites showed that significant behavioural changes were not affected by habitat features. Few studies have been done on the habitat preferences of the Cream-coloured Courser meaning that this study adds a proportionally large amount of research to this research area increasing the reliability of results as a base for conservation and management strategies. A science communication leaflet on the Cream-coloured Courser alongside this study adds an important conservation tool for use by the Desert Watch group to increase awareness of the Cream-coloured Courser to tourists and the public in Lanzarote.
    [Show full text]
  • BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE | Glareola Nordmanni
    BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE | Glareola nordmanni RE Simmons | Reviewed by: C Boix-Hinzen; WRJ Dean; M Herremans © Warwick Tarboton © Warwick Conservation Status: Near Threatened Southern African Range: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe Area of Occupancy: 30,000 km2 Population Estimate: 770 individuals Population Trend: Probably declining Habitat: Grasslands Threats: Grassland transformation, pesticides, loss of food source DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE In Namibian wetland counts, it was recorded in numbers varying from one to 180 birds from the Tsumkwe Pans and This species breeds in a narrow belt across southern areas surrounding Etosha, including Fischer’s Pan (12 to 17 Russia and Kazakhstan, with small colonies in Ukraine, birds), Lake Oponono (16 to 70 birds from three counts), Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary (Kamp artesian wells at Okashana (24 birds), Omatako Dam (one 2012). Nearly the entire population of between 76,000 and six birds), and the highest (180 birds) from Middelbult and 95,000 pairs is thought to winter from October to Dam, south of the Waterberg Plateau Park (Jarvis et al. April in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Maclean 2001). Up to 338 birds were recorded during these counts, & Herremans 1997, Tree 2005a, Kamp et al. 2009). It is and since other sites on the Okavango River, as well recorded most abundantly in Botswana, where reporting as in the Zambezi region and Hardap Dam, where they rates during the SABAP1 atlassing period were above 7% possibly occur, were not captured in this data set (missing in the grasslands to the south-east of the Okavango Delta about 56% of the known distribution: Jarvis et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Birds of Namibia and Botswana 1 Josh Engel
    Common Birds of Namibia and Botswana 1 Josh Engel Photos: Josh Engel, [[email protected]] Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History and Tropical Birding Tours [www.tropicalbirding.com] Produced by: Tyana Wachter, R. Foster and J. Philipp, with the support of Connie Keller and the Mellon Foundation. © Science and Education, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL 60605 USA. [[email protected]] [fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/guides] Rapid Color Guide #584 version 1 01/2015 1 Struthio camelus 2 Pelecanus onocrotalus 3 Phalacocorax capensis 4 Microcarbo coronatus STRUTHIONIDAE PELECANIDAE PHALACROCORACIDAE PHALACROCORACIDAE Ostrich Great white pelican Cape cormorant Crowned cormorant 5 Anhinga rufa 6 Ardea cinerea 7 Ardea goliath 8 Ardea pupurea ANIHINGIDAE ARDEIDAE ARDEIDAE ARDEIDAE African darter Grey heron Goliath heron Purple heron 9 Butorides striata 10 Scopus umbretta 11 Mycteria ibis 12 Leptoptilos crumentiferus ARDEIDAE SCOPIDAE CICONIIDAE CICONIIDAE Striated heron Hamerkop (nest) Yellow-billed stork Marabou stork 13 Bostrychia hagedash 14 Phoenicopterus roseus & P. minor 15 Phoenicopterus minor 16 Aviceda cuculoides THRESKIORNITHIDAE PHOENICOPTERIDAE PHOENICOPTERIDAE ACCIPITRIDAE Hadada ibis Greater and Lesser Flamingos Lesser Flamingo African cuckoo hawk Common Birds of Namibia and Botswana 2 Josh Engel Photos: Josh Engel, [[email protected]] Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History and Tropical Birding Tours [www.tropicalbirding.com] Produced by: Tyana Wachter, R. Foster and J. Philipp,
    [Show full text]
  • The Bedfordshire Naturalist
    -=i The Bedfordshire Naturalist THE JOURNAL OF THE BEDFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1983 No. 38 PUBLISHED BY THE BEDFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY October 1984 BEDFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 1984 Chairman: Mr D. Green, Red Cow Farm Cottage, Bidwell, Dunstable, Beds LUS 6JP Honorary Secretary: Mrs M.I. Sheridan, 28 Chestnut Hill, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 7TR Honorary Treasurer: Mr M.R. Chandler, 19 Hillside Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts SGS 3NN Honorary Librarian and Membership Secretary: Mr RB. Stephenson, 17 PentIand Rise, Putnoe, Bedford MK41 9AW Honorary Editor (Bedfordshire Naturalist): Mr C.R. Boon, 7 Duck End Lane, Maulden, Bedford MK4S 2DL Council (in addition to the above): Miss RA Brind DrN.F. lanes MrD.1. Odell MrS.Halton MrD. Kramer Mr M.I. Palmer Mrs RM. Hayman DrB.S. Nau MrD.GRands Mr B.J.Nightingale Honorary Editor (Muntjac): Mr R.V.A. Wagstaff, 3 The Lawns, Everton, Sandy, BedsSG192LB Committees appointed by Council: Finance: Mr M. Chandler(Sec.) MrS. Halton Mrs M. Sheridan MrD. Green DrB. Nau Mr R. Stephenson Membership: Miss R. Brind MrW. Drayton MrD. Rands Mr I. Burchmore MrD. Green Mrs M. Sheridan Mr M. Chandler MrS. Halton Mr R. Stephenson (Sec.) MrP. Clarke Mrs R. Hayman Mr R. Wagstaff MrN. Pollard Scientific Mr D. Anderson DrN. Janes Dr B. Nau (Sec.) MrC. Boon Mr J. Knowles Mr B. Nightingale Mrs F. Davies MrD. Kramer MrD.Odell Mr A. Livett Bedfordshire Naturalist No. 38 THE BEDFORDSHIRE NATURALIST No. 38(1983) - Edited by C.R. Boon CONTENTS Officers of the Society ....................................................................................... cover ii Report of the Council ................................
    [Show full text]