 The sooty falcon is a migratory, medium-sized falcon that breeds in the Middle East and north-eastern Africa and winters along the south-eastern coast of Africa and on Madagascar. Recently, concern has been expressed as to the lack of knowledge on the status and distribution of the sooty falcon in its breeding grounds and the wide range of population estimates: 1000 – 40,000 breeding pairs, and its conservation status has been recently downgraded by BirdLife Inernational to “Near- threatened” (http://www.birdlifeforums.org/WebX/.2cba5b73).
The first systematic survey of any breeding population of the sooty falcon was conducted in 1978 in Oman and since then the Daymaniyat Islands, Fahal Islands and the Suwaydi Islands have been considered strongholds for the species. Because of this early work Oman is well placed to provide early baseline data on long-term dynamics of the sooty falcon. Surprisingly, the ecology of the species, even on the breeding grounds, is not well understood, and Oman is a good place to study this because of the relative ease of visiting breeding sites. In light of this in August-October 2007 we conducted the first of two annual surveys of the sooty falcon population on the Daymaniyat Islands, Suwaydi Islands and Fahal Island. The survey established the distribution of the falcon across the islands, located and marked nest sites and collected data on reproductive success and diet. In addition 62 chicks were ringed with numbered and micro-chipped rings. The survey identified 40 sooty falcon pairs on the Daymaniyat Islands, 12-16 pairs on the Suwaydi Islands and 41 active falcon territories on Fahal Island. These figures appear similar to those found in the 1978 survey, but the survey needs to be repeated in 2008 before any meaningful conclusions can be reached.
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If lower population estimates are correct, then the islands of north Oman could hold up to 10% of the world's population of sooty falcons. A second survey will be conducted in August-September 2008. By the end of this survey we will have baseline information on the species in the Gulf of Oman that we hope will guide the development of a long-term monitoring and research programme and support conservation.
This work was supported by Petroleum Development Oman, The Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment (Diwan of Royal Court), Royal Yacht Squadron (Royal Court Affairs), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) and the Royal Oman Police.
Click below to access a pdf of our report.
 McGrady, M.J., Nicholl, M.A.C. and Williams, N.P. 2007. A report on the status and distribution of breeding Sooty Falcons (Falco concolor) on the northern islands of Oman: August – October 2007. Natural Research Ltd and Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, Reading University. Unpublished Report.
For further information, please contact Dr Mike McGrady: mike.mcgrady@natural-research.org
Photos: Nestliing sooty falcon copyright M. McGrady,F lying sooty falcon copyright Barak Granit
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