Short distance directional migration in the threatened Socotra cormorant: link to primary productivity and implications for conservation

Muzaffar, Sabir Bin; Clarke, Chris; Whelan, Roxanne; Gubiani, Robert; Cook, Timothée R.

doi:10.3354/meps12209

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…At the same time, abandonment of the traditional breeding colony of Umm Qasr underlines the need of controlling human disturbance. Birds tracked from Siniya moved to western Abu Dhabi (Muzaffar et al 2017b) which is known to hold nearly half of UAE roosting numbers (Aspinall 1995). This post-breeding intermixing of birds from all UAE colonies particularly at roosting sites may result in switching of colonies, recolonisation and increased nesting in other colonies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the last decade, breeding has gradually shifted to sites having restricted access, minimum disturbance and no predators; at present all colonies with large nesting populations (> 5,000 pairs) are closed to the public. It is suspected that birds from Umm Qasr relocated to Butinah and Digala, the two nearest islands offering safety; tracking data also showed regular movement of roosting birds between Umm Qasr and Butinah in previous years (Muzaffar et al 2017b). In 2016–2017, five breeding colonies (62.5%) were in restricted areas, including one new breeding colony at Butinah a protected site.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Breeding at Qasr Salaha, a small open access colony, failed due to egg-stealing leading to abandonment and sporadic nesting. Under threat, Socotra Cormorant respond by relocating to safer colonies (Muzaffar et al 2017b) and recent changes and the current distribution of breeding colonies is the result of such rearrangement. In the last decade, breeding has gradually shifted to sites having restricted access, minimum disturbance and no predators; at present all colonies with large nesting populations (> 5,000 pairs) are closed to the public.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the UAE, the species is widespread and birds are frequently observed feeding offshore in large numbers (Aspinall 2010). As nesting season approaches, birds start to gather at the breeding colonies (Muzaffar et al 2017b). The status and suitability of breeding colonies and nesting population depend upon the prevailing disturbance levels and food availability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The status and suitability of breeding colonies and nesting population depend upon the prevailing disturbance levels and food availability. Short distance migration from colonies post-breeding in search of food allows intermixing with birds from other colonies in Abu Dhabi waters (Muzaffar et al 2017b). Although legally protected in UAE, the species has previously suffered from large-scale egg collection and disturbance from recreational activities such as fishing and camping near the colonies, in addition to changes in land use, development (oil industrialisation, habitation) and introduced predators at breeding colonies, that all led to reduced nesting or abandonment of breeding colonies and relocation (Symens et al 1993, Symens and Suhaibani 1993, Aspinall 1995, Aspinall 1996a, Khan et al 2009, Jennings 2010, Croxall et al 2012, Wilson 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Does a recent surge in Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis nesting population and establishment of new breeding colonies ensure long term conservation? Pragmatic assessment of recent augmentation in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

Khan

Javed

Ahmed

et al. 2018

Bird Conservation International

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SummaryUnited Arab Emirates is an important range country for the ‘Vulnerable’ Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis and Abu Dhabi Emirate holds most of the remaining breeding colonies. Emirate-wide monitoring of all breeding colonies was undertaken annually for 11 breeding seasons from 2006–2007 to 2016–2017 to monitor the status of breeding colonies and estimate the nesting population. Breeding was recorded in 10 colonies that were used intermittently with an average of four (± 1.3 SD) colonies active each year. The highest number of eight active colonies was recorded in 2016–2017. Establishment of two new breeding colonies on Butinah and Digala in 2016–2017 and recolonisation of three previously inactive colonies during the monitoring period emphasised the ability of the species to relocate and colonise suitable sites. Continued threats at some breeding colonies caused abandonment and subsequent relocation, resulting in a gradual shift of breeding colonies to safer areas. Presently, most of the breeding sites (62%) with an increased number of breeding birds are found in colonies with restricted access. The Emirate-wide nesting population witnessed a 10-fold increase in the last decade; after an initial decline in 2006–2007 it increased from about 5,000 pairs in 2007–2008 to nearly 52,000 nesting pairs in 2016–2017. Combined with the nesting population from the Siniya colony, the overall UAE nesting population is estimated at 60,000 to 70,000 pairs, nearly half of the global breeding population. Further augmentation of the current breeding numbers is possible if breeding colonies remain safe from human disturbance and invasive predators. For long-term conservation of Socotra Cormorant, protection of all remaining colony sites, including inactive ones, is important in addition to minimising disturbance along with widespread public awareness to change the people’s perception of the species as a competitor to commercial fisheries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Does a recent surge in Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis nesting population and establishment of new breeding colonies ensure long term conservation? Pragmatic assessment of recent augmentation in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

Khan

Javed

Ahmed

et al. 2018

Bird Conservation International

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Coastal Lagoons (Khors) of the Emirates

Mateos-Molina,

Pittman,

Antonopoulou

et al. 2023

A Natural History of the Emirates

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Coastal lagoons represent one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to their position at the dynamic transition zone between land and sea. UAE’s coastal lagoons, also known as khors, are home to a diverse assemblage of organisms, including many resident and endangered species that rely on the interconnected mosaics of habitat types (mangroves, seagrass, saltmarshes, mudflats) that also provide a wealth of benefits to society. These ecosystem characteristics, and the need to ensure their sustainable development, have made lagoons a high priority for conservation in the Emirates. Primarily located along the UAE’s Arabian Gulf coast, coastal lagoons have been highly impacted by urbanization that modifies or removes habitats and disturbs wildlife due to increased pollution from artificial light, noise and chemicals. Coastal lagoons in the UAE are in urgent need of protection to ensure that current and future generations continue to enjoy healthy coastal ecosystems. Integrated ecosystem-based management that is supported by local institutions and includes participatory monitoring through citizen science programmes will increase public engagement and advance progress towards the goal of living in harmony with nature.

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Partial migration pays off in black-faced cormorants: insights from post-breeding GPS tracking

Cansse,

Lens,

Orben

et al. 2024

Mar Biol

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Seasonal variation in food availability or adverse weather patterns can create challenging conditions for year-round survival. Birds experiencing such fluctuations may migrate to locations with better food availability in the non-breeding period. While some species are obligate migrants, others are facultative migrants where various post-breeding strategies exist within populations. Several cormorant and shag species are facultative migrants with a range of post-breeding movement strategies within populations. Currently, most of the information available on cormorant post-breeding strategies originates from banding studies and little is known about their movements, time budget or habitat use during the non-breeding period. In the present study, Australian endemic black-faced cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscescens), breeding on Notch Island, Victoria, were tracked with GPS data loggers during the non-breeding period. Different post-breeding strategies were observed. Individuals were either resident (N = 36, 69%), remaining within a short distance of the colony (16.7 ± 2.2 km) or migratory (N = 16, 31%), travelling greater distances (250.7 ± 24.4 km) to establish a new central place foraging location. Data from individuals which covered the entire non-breeding period indicated that, across strategies, individual birds had one area of residency during the non-breeding period. Migratory individuals were found to have lower daily activity levels, spending less time flying and foraging, than resident individuals during the early non-breeding period, possibly indicating that they had access to greater prey resources. Regardless of the post-breeding strategy, individuals utilised foraging locations that were of similar seabed depths year-round suggesting individual specialisation in prey resources or foraging habitats.

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Short distance directional migration in the threatened Socotra cormorant: link to primary productivity and implications for conservation

Cited by 9 publications

References 55 publications

Does a recent surge in Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis nesting population and establishment of new breeding colonies ensure long term conservation? Pragmatic assessment of recent augmentation in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

Does a recent surge in Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis nesting population and establishment of new breeding colonies ensure long term conservation? Pragmatic assessment of recent augmentation in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

Coastal Lagoons (Khors) of the Emirates

Partial migration pays off in black-faced cormorants: insights from post-breeding GPS tracking

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