A survey of Little Tern Sternula albifrons colonies at Port Said, Egypt, in 2015 with notes on behaviour

摘要

The global population of Little Tern Sternula albifrons is estimated at c190 000-510 000 individuals; the overall population trend is decreasing due to changing habitats, although some populations have unknown trends (Wetlands International 2014). In Egypt, it is a fairly common breeder along the Mediterranean coast; the total breeding population was estimated at 2000 pairs by Goodman & Meininger (1989). Between 800-1200 pairs were thought to nest on the coast of the northern Sinai (Meininger & Baha El Din 1986) and 700 pairs were located at lake Bardawil there (Atta 1986). Baha El Din (1999) mentioned 1200 pairs at lake Bardawil, 1500 at lake Manzala (coastal Nile delta) and 600-800 at lake Burullus (coastal Nile delta). Eason et al (2012) found 439 nests in Zaranik protectorate, northern Sinai. The seashore near Port Said was missing from any previous survey and the first sighting of breeding birds in the Port Said region was July 2007 (Habib 2014a). The present survey was made to investigate breeding status in 2015 at five breeding colonies near Port Said and two new colonies found east of Port Fouad and south of Port Said respectively. An important objective was to see whether breeding colonies still existed given the continual development of the Port Said area eg construction of the new corniche road, gas exploration and drilling facilities and new roads, and to provide recommendations for protection. Behavioural observations were also made.