Breeding population of Terns and Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis on Ghaber Nakhoda and Dara Islands, in Persian Gulf in 2003, 2009, 2012 and 2016

Volume 1 - Issue 5

Behrouz Behrouzi-Rad*

Received: December 03, 2018   Published: December 11, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/OAJESS.2018.01.000122

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Abstract

The research was conducted on Ghabre Nakhoda and Dara islands in Khore Mosa Creek in Persian Gulf on August in 2003, 2009, 2012, and 2016. Total count method was used to obtain the census of the nests and breeding population of terns and Western Reef Heron on Islands. Five species of terns and Western Reef Heron had bred on Ghabre Nakhoda and Dara islands in 2003, 2009, 2012, and 2016. Average breeding pairs of Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis, Swift Tern Thalasseus bergii, Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus, White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa, Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia and Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis were 1368, 63, 217, 71, and 13 pairs on Ghabre Nakhoda and 127, 7, 54, 4, 9, and 6 pairs on Dara, respectively. Thirty-one species from ten families belonged to two order of water birds recorded on August in 2003, 2009, 2012, and 2016 on both islands. Total number of counted water birds was 26303 individuals on Ghabre Nakhoda and 17404 individuals on Dara Island in 2003, 2009, 2012 and 2016. Maximum species richness on Ghabre Nakhoda was in 2016(31 species), but on Dara island was in 2009(18 species).

Keywords: Breeding population; Terns; Western Reef Heron; Khore Mosa; Persian Gulf; Iran

Abstract| Introduction| Methods and Materials| Result and Discussion| Threat and Conservation| Conclusion| References|