• Egypt
• Checklist BOE
• Rare Bird Alert
• Rare Bird Report Form
• Ringed Bird Recovery Report
• Trips
• Projects
• Recommendation
• Photo Gallery
• Links
• Contact US

Survey of breeding Sooty Falcons (Falco concolor) along the Southern Egyptian Red Sea shore

The Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) is a monotypic medium-sized falcon, breeding from N Africa and the Middle East (as far as the Persian Gulf) across the Islands of the Red Sea to Eritrea in South.

During breeding period, it is confined to barren deserts and rocky islands. But even in the desert, it seems to breed in the surroundings of oases, which are actually islands in a sea of sand. Sooty Falcons winter in Madagascar and on adjacent coasts of continental Africa (Mozambique). Very little is known about their wintering areas and virtually nothing about their habitat preferences during migration.

The population was credited as stable (Forsman, 1999), but a recent breeding survey by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) revealed a decrease of 64% since 1994. A Sooty Falcon has been tracked from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its wintering areas in Madagascar by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD). This is the first satellite tracking of Sooty Falcon anywhere in the world, revealing its migration routes over Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique before crossing into Madagascar, its final destination for the winter.

In Egypt, the Sooty Falcon is breeding on the Sinai peninsula and surrounding islands (Francesco Germi pers.com) to the southernmost Red Sea Islands (studies pioneered by the late Tom Coles and Mr. Nick Williams) and also in extreme SW Egypt, in Gebel Uweinat (Claire Spottiswoode and Lajos Németh).

Last year, during a visit to one of the largest Sooty Falcon colonies of the world to clarify aging and sexing techniques, we noted fewer falcons than in previous years, when 170-180 were breeding on the island (Tom Coles and Nick Williams 2004).

Reasons for the population decline are unknown. Human disturbance, arrival of predators such cats or rats on the island, smaller numbers of migrating passerines, or unknown problems in the wintering areas should be considered when looking for causes of the decline in numbers.

We decided to take immediate action. Two ornithologists (Attila Sándor and István Moldován) and biologist Sayed Khodary El Noubi, began a Sooty Falcon survey and monitoring project. Benefiting from a small fund from OSME, a visit was made to a few of the Red Sea Islands (the precise location and the name of the places will be withheld as a measure of protection against human disturbance) which allowed us to determine human pressures on the breeding colony, and the timing of arrival of the birds.

Pellets were collected and a food analysis has been done by Attila Sándor (unpublished yet). Thanks to Rufford Small Grants which has funded the project for autumn 2009, we will be able to continue the survey. Known (and supposed) breeding colonies will be visited (after fledging) to collect data on breeding population, nest site selection, threat factors, nesting ecology and fledging success. The local recruitment rate and mortality will be studied using color ringing of nestlings at selected colonies.

To assess threats along the migratory route and at wintering areas, a geolocator tracking survey was planned and carried out in October 2009. Fifteen geolocators were attached to 15 Sooty Falcons. These are tiny (1.5g) recording devices attached on the back of the bird, along with the microchip ring fitted on the leg. The geolocator measures time and intensity of sunlight and saves the data for periods longer than one year. The travels and whereabouts of migrant birds can thus be reconstructed once the data have been downloaded from the device. This will result in the exact location and proper assessment of an important breeding population and its migratory routes and wintering areas. The project is intended as a starting point for long term monitoring of the species and its habitats, by providing training and motivation to local conservationists. By doing so, we will complete our knowledge upon an important part of the species range and ecology, thus contributing to the overall conservation of a globally threatened small falcon species.

We suppose to collect information about the population and exact location of most breeding colony sites along the Egypt Red Sea coast. Moreover, the collected information on breeding ecology and population dynamics will provide necessary background information for preparing species conservation measures. The geolocator tracking survey will provide data on migratory routes, indicating wintering sites, thus revealing the exact locations in which to concentrate further conservation actions other than at breeding sites.

Further funds are required to complete the survey and implement the most needed conservation methods. We are still missing the money for Tomahawk traps, which are discretely installed and maintained at strategic points to promote early identification of a rodent infestation but also to act as a proactive prevention measure.

In order to elucidate precise routes of migration and post juvenile dispersion, we need to equip up to 5 birds with satellite transmitters. The nearby Red Sea Rangers office (EEAA) office does not have even an internet connection, which virtually cuts them off from the rest of the world. Also, maintenance of their one zodiac boat is an overwhelming expense, and without it, it is impossible to patrol around the islands, and prevent dive boat crew, tourists and the fishermen from landing on the islands of the National Park.

If you want to give us a hand, and save the Sooty Falcons from further declining, and even extinction, you can make a donation. No matter how insignificant you may find your 1$ donation, but for this magnificent birds, it can turn out to be critical.

If you are not in the situation to make a donation, join us as a volunteer or send us a few encouraging words.