HABITAT ANALYSIS,POPULATION ESTIMATES AND NESTING ECOLOGY OF THREE FALCON SPECIES IN DISTRICT CHAKWAL
Tariq Mehmood,* Riaz Hussain, Muhammad Rais,Iftekhar Hussain, Maqsood Anwar and Muhammad Sajid Nadeem
Department of Wildlife ManagementPir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
INTRODUCTION
FALCON
DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY
FAMILYFalconidae
ORDER FALCONIFORMES
GENUSFALCO
SPECIES STATUS
• “Falcon” (L) “ falx ” • “sickle" Birds are named due to• curved beak or talons
(Webster and McKechnie, 1983).
• shape of their spreading wings (Harper, 2001).
Species in the world 37 species 17 sub-species,
(Collar, et al., 1994). Pakistan, 09 species reported (Roberts, 1991; Ahmed, 2003 and Naoroji, 2006)
SPECIES AND THEIR STATUS IN PAKISTA Roberts (1991), Ahmed, (2003) and Naoroji, (2006)
Common Name Scientific Name Status Occurrence
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Vagrant Aaround Quetta (Balochistan), Dera Ismail Khan (KPK) and Murree hills Pnjab).
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Resident and breeder
Balochistan areas; Zhob, Chaman, Quetta, Sibi, Kalat and Chaghi, Dera Ghazi Khan and salt range foothill zone in Punjab, winter visitor throughout the KPK, also seen in Gilgit and Bultistan.
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Winter visitor Balochistan, areas,Indus delta in Sindh. Attock districts, seen around Rawal lake (ISB), not recorded in the Potohar plateau, also a winter visitor throughout KP K.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Resident and winter visitor
Coastal areas of Karachi, found in Kirther hills and Jacobabad , resident and breeds in Thal desert, Kohat and Chitral.
Merlin Falco columbarius Winter passer migrant
Ziarat and Loralai (Balochistan), Mirpur Sakro in Thata (Sindh), Jhang, Taunsa barrage, Raheem Yar Khan(Punjab), itor to Kohat (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa) and Gilgit.
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo winter visitor, summer breeder
Karachi, Sukkur and Mirpur (Sindh), coastal area of Balochistan, hilly areas of Rawalpindi (Punjab) and winter visitor to Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu (KPK).
Red-headed Merlin Falco chicquera Rare Resident Tharparkar and Cholistan. Rawal Lake (Islamabad), Mianwali, Lal Sohanra NP (Punjab), Kohat and Peshawar KPK.
Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Rare Resident Southern Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and in the lower plain areas of KPK..
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Summer visitor occurs as a summer breeder along the Makran coast in the province of Balochistan
OBJECTIVES
• HABITAT ANALYSIS• POPULATION ESTIMATION• NESTING ECOLOGY
STUDY AREA
Fig. 1 Map of Punjab province showing study district Chakwal
CHAKWAL
• Geographical Coordinates 32° 56' 0" N 72° 52' 0" E
• Area 6524 Sq.km.
• Administrative DivisionTehsil Chakwal Tehsil TalagangTehsil Choa Saiden Shah Tehsil Kallar Kahar
• Ecosystem type.Salt Range (South)Potohar Range(North)
Temperature and Rain fall during study period (May2009 to June 2010)
(SAWCRI Chakwal)
Average temperature 14.25 to 30.77 °C
Average rainfall 0.00 mm (Dec, 2009) to 47.8mm (June, 2010)
• Crops.wheat, peanut, maize, oat, sorgum, millet and barley.
STUDY DESIGN
• Preliminary surveys• Selection of study sites (8 Sites)• Area of each study site 2x2km• Data collected fortnightly
Table2.Details of eight selected study sites
Study
Site No.
Name of Place GPS Location
Elevation
(m)
Habitat
Type
Water Source
I
Dhoke Chatal
(Chakwal)
N 32º58' 0.00"E 72º55' 26.5"
503
*Mixed
Barsati nala
II Dhoke Wadhan(Chakwal)
N 32º03' 27.17"E 72º57' 41.07"
515
Open cultivated
fields
Barsati nala
III Punjain(Chakwal)
N 32º53'38.12"E 72º59 50.62"
473
Mixed
Barsati nala
IV Jabairpur(Chakwal)
N 32º55'09.2"E 72º53'34.2"
512
Mixed
Rain water pond and Barsati nala
V Karangli hill(Choa Saiden
Shah)
N 32º45'35.3"E 73º01'48.8"
1092
Hilly and Forest
Barsati nala And natural springs
VI Chumbi (Kallar Kahar)
N 32º 46'14.9"E 72º 43'12.3"
638
Mixed
Barsati nala and natural springs
VII Chinji(Talagang)
N 32º 42'29.5"E 72º22'17.2"
697
Mixed
Rain water ponds
VIII Chaman Samsal(Tlagang)
N 32º 57'03.0"E 72º 18'48.4"
468 Open, low vegetation.
Rain water ponds
Fig.2 Satellite map showing location of eight selected study sites
METHODOLOGY1. HABITAT ANALYSIS
Vegetation Study (trees, shrubs, herbs) 2km
• Point Centered Quarter method 800m
(Cottom and Cartis, 1956). 400m
800m
• Number of points on each transect line--- 07 • Distance between points ----- 250m• Selected points on each transect line ----- 03
• Shrubs and Herbs: Quadrate Method (Emlen 1956; Schemnitz, 1980).
For shrub species quadrate 4m x 4m For herb species quadrate 1m x 1m Number of quadrates 06
2. POPULATION ESTIMATION
• Visual Observation Method.
• Line transects traveled regularly by foot and by motor bike following Kochart (1986), Milsap and LeFranc (1988).
• Binocular (Olympus, 10 x 50 DPSI)
• Digital camera (Sony 7.2 M.p and Sony Ericsson mobile phone 8.1 M.p)
• Formula for Population density of the individual falcon species ∑ n
D = 2W x L
• Statistical AnalysisOne way ANOVA (population density of the falcon species)
3. NESTING ECOLOGY• Search for nests by direct observation • Active or inactive• Nests probable to be occupied by three falcon
species
RESULTS
Table3 Density, frequency, relative dominance and IVI of the tree species
Site No. Sr. No Scientific name Density/ ha
Relative Density
Frequency Relative Frequency
Relative Dominance
IVI
I 1 Acacia modesta 0.40 4.13 16.66 6.25 2.89 13.272 Acacia nilotica 3.63 37.53 100.0 37.49 43.47 118.493 Zizyphus mauritiana 4.44 45.91 100.0 37.49 39.13 122.534 Dalbergia sissoo 0.80 8.27 33.33 12.49 13.04 33.805 Tamarix aphylla 0.40 4.13 16.66 6.25 1.44 11.82
Mean 1.93±0.87 19.99 ±8.99 53.33±19.29 19.99±7.23 19.99±8.95 59.98±25.02II 6 Acacia modesta 1.03 12.50 50.00 16.66 1.45 30.61
7 Acacia nilotica 3.09 37.50 100.00 33.33 7.27 78.108 Zizyphus mauritiana 2.40 29.16 88.33 27.78 87.27 144.239 Dalbergia sissoo 1.03 12.50 33.33 11.11 2.90 26.51
10 Melia azedarach 0.69 8.33 33.33 11.11 1.09 20.53Mean 1.64±0.46 19.99±5.65 60.99±14.0 19.99±4.51 19.99±16.85 59.99±23.42
III 11 Acacia modesta 0.84 8.32 33.33 12.50 5.55 26.3712 Acacia nilotica 4.20 41.58 83.33 33.12 55.55 130.2513 Zizyphus mauritiana 3.37 33.33 100.0 37.50 27.77 98.6014 Eucalyptus globules 0.42 4.16 16.66 6.24 2.77 13.1715 Tamarix aphylla 0.84 8.31 16.66 6.24 4.16 18.7116 Melia azedarach 0.42 4.16 16.66 6.24 4.16 14.56
Mean 1.68±0.67 16.64±6.70 44.44±15.31 16.97±5.90 16.66±8.68 50.27±20.77IV 17 Acacia modesta 1.65 20.88 50.00 18.75 15.00 54.63
18 Acacia nilotica 2.30 29.16 88.33 31.25 50.00 110.4119 Zizyphus mauritiana 3.29 41.66 100.00 37.50 41.66 120.8220 Morus alba 0.33 4.17 16.66 6.25 4.66 15.4221 Eucalyptus globulus 0.33 4.17 16.66 6.25 5.00 15.42
Mean 1.58±0.57 20.0±7.26 54.33±17.46 20.0±6.37 23.26±9.49 63.34±22.56
Density, frequency, relative dominance and IVI of the tree species at different study sites in district Chakwal.
Site No.
Sr. No
Scientific name
Density/
ha
Relative Density
Frequency
Relative
Frequency
Relative
Dominance
IVI
V 22 Acacia modesta 13.83 58.35 100.00 42.86 47.90 149.1123 Acacia nilotica 2.96 12.50 50.00 21.43 17.96 51.8924 Dalbergia sissoo 0.99 4.17 16.66 7.14 4.79 16.1025 Eucalyptus globulus 0.99 4.17 16.66 7.14 5.38 16.6926 Melia azedarach 0.99 4.17 16.66 7.14 17.96 292727 Olea ferruginea 3.95 16.66 33.33 14.28 5.98 36.92
Mean 3.95±2.04 16.67±8.60 38.88±13.38 16.66±5.73 16.66±6.73 49.99±20.56VI 28 Acacia modesta 1.97 24.93 83.33 26.32 13.89 65.14
29 Acacia nilotica 2.96 37.46 100.0 31.58 41.67 110.6430 Zizyphus mauritiana 0.33 4.18 16.66 5.26 2.78 12.2231 Dalbergia sissoo 1.65 20.88 66.66 21.05 27.78 69.7132 Eucalyptus globulus 0.33 4.18 16.66 5.26 4.17 13.6133 Melia azedarach 0.66 8.35 33.33 10.53 9.72 28.60
Mean 1.31±0.43 16.66±5.47 52.77±14.54 16.66±4.59 16.66±6.20 49.98±15.81VII 34 Acacia modesta 2.40 37.50 100.0 37.08 27.03 101.60
35 Acacia nilotica 1.87 29.21 66.66 24.72 27.03 80.9636 Zizyphus mauritiana 1.87 29.21 88.33 32.75 40.54 102.5037 Melia azedarach 0.26 4.06 16.66 6.17 5.40 15.63
Mean 1.60±0.46 24.99±7.24 67.91±18.42 25.18±6.83 25.0±7.26 75.17±20.46VIII 38 Acacia nilotica 3.36 45.90 100.0 39.22 43.48 128.60
39 Zizyphus mauritiana 2.74 37.43 83.33 34.64 32.61 104.840 Dalbergia sissoo 0.92 12.56 50.00 19.61 21.74 53.9141 Melia azedarach 0.30 4.09 16.66 6.53 2.17 12.79
Mean 1.83±0.72 24.99±9.93 62.49±18.47 25.0±7.44 25.0±8.80 75.02±25.94
Fig.3 A comparison of average values of IVI for tree species occurring in the eight selected habitats of the study area. Values expressed as mean ±SE.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Study Sites
Mea
n IV
I
Table 4 Density and frequency of shrub species at different study sites in Chakwal district.
Site Shrub Species D/4m2 RD F RFI Zizyphus nummularia 0.66 23.53 50 23.07
Capparis decidua 0.33 11.76 33.33 15.38 Prosopis juliflora 0.83 29.41 66.66 30.79 Calotropis procera 0.66 23.53 33.33 15.38 Saccharum griffithii 0.33 11.76 33.33 15.38 Mean 0.56±0.09 19.99±3.53 43.33±6.66 20.00±3.08
II Calotropis procera 0.66 28.57 50 37.50 Prosopis juliflora 0.33 14.28 16.66 12.49 Saccharum griffithii 0.66 28.57 33.33 25.00 Zizyphus nummularia 0.66 28.57 33.33 25.00 Mean 0.57±0.08 24.99±3.57 33.33±6.80 24.99±5.10
III Capparis decidua 0.33 15.38 33.33 22.22 Prosopis juliflora 0.66 30.77 50 33.33 Zizyphus nummularia 0.83 29.41 33.33 22.22 Adhatoda vasica 0.33 15.38 33.33 22.22 Mean 0.53±0.12 22.73±4.25 37.49±4.16 24.99±2.77
IV Prosopis juliflora 1 31.58 50 25 Calotropis procera 0.33 10.53 33.33 16.66 Saccharum griffithii 0.5 15.78 33.33 16.66 Ricinus communis 1 31.58 33.33 16.66 Capparis decidua 0.5 15.78 50 25 Mean 0.66±0.13 21.05±4.40 39.99±4.08 19.99±2.04
V Justicia adhatoda 0.33 8.69 33.33 13.33 Dodonaea viscosa 1.5 39.13 83.33 33.33 Cannabis sativa 1.17 30.43 50 20.00 Adhatoda vasica 0.5 13.04 50 20.00 Ziziphus nummularia 0.33 8.69 33.33 13.33 Mean 0.76±0.24 19.99±6.24 49.99±9.12 19.99±3.65
VI Calotropis procera 0.66 23.53 50 27.27 Cannabis sativa 1 35.29 50 27.27 Adhatoda vasica 0.66 23.53 50 27.27 Zizyphus nummularia 0.5 17.65 33.33 18.18 Mean 0.70±0.10 25.00±3.69 45.83±4.16 24.99±2.27
VII Zizyphus nummularia 1 37.50 50 30 Justicia adhatoda 0.66 25.00 50 30 Calotropis procera 0.5 18.75 33.33 19.99 Prosopis juliflora 0.5 18.75 33.33 19.99 Mean 0.66±0.11 25.00±4.41 41.67±4.81 24.99±3.12VIII Zizyphus nummularia 0.33 18.18 33.33 24.99 Saccharum griffithii 0.66 36.36 50 37.5 Calotropis procera 0.83 45.45 50 37.5
Mean 0.60±0.14 33.33±8.01 44.44±5.55 33.33±4.17
SHRUBS SPECIES
Fig.4 A comparison of average density of shrub species in eight selected study sites of district Chakwal from May 2009 to June 2010. Values expressed as mean ±SE.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Study Sites
Ave
rage
den
sity
per 4
met
er S
q
Fig.5 A comparison of average frequency of shrub species in eight selected study sites of district Chakwal from May 2009 to June 2010. Values expressed as mean ±SE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Study Sites
mea
n fr
eque
ncy
HERBS SPECIES
Fig.6 Density (per sq. m) of herb species in eight different study sites. Values expressed as mean ±SE.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Study Sites
Dens
ity p
er S
q. m
eter)
Fig.7 Average frequency of herb species in the study areas from May 2009 to June2010. Values expressed as mean ±SE.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Study Sites
Freq
uenc
y
POPULATION ESTIMATION
Month
Site I
Site III
Site V Site VI Site VII
Mean density in five study sites ± SE
No.Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
May-09 04 1.25 - - - - - - - -
Jun 03 0.94 01 0.31 - - 01 0.31 - - Jul - - - - - - - - 02 0.63
Aug 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 Sep 01 0.31 - - 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 Oct 01 0.31 - - - - - - - - Nov 01 0.31 - - - - 02 0.63 01 0.31
Dec-09 02 0.63 - - - - - - 03 0.94
Jan-10 01 0.31 - - 01 0.31 - - 01 0.31 Feb - - - - 02 0.63 01 0.31 - - Mar 01 0.31 - - - - - - 01 0.31 Apr 02 0.63 - - 01 0.31 02 0.63 - - May 02 0.63 - - 01 0.31 02 0.63 02 0.63
Jun-10 01 0.31 - - - - 01 0.31 01 0.31
Total 20 6.25 02 0.62 07 2.18 11 3.44 13 4.05
Mean±SE 0.45± 0.09 0.04±0.03 0.16±0.05 0.25±0.06 0.29±0.070.238±0.06
Red-headed Merlin (Falco chicquera)Average density (per sq. km) in different selected sites of district Chakwal from May 2009 to June 2010. Values expressed as mean ±SE.
p <0.05
POPULATION ESTIMATION
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)Population Density of Common Kestrel in selected study sites from May 2009 to June 2010. p > 0.05
Month
Site II
Site III
Site IV
Site V Site VIII
Mean
population density in five study sites±SE
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
May-09 - - - - - - - - - -
Jun - - - - - - - - - -
Jul - - - - - - - - 01 0.31
Aug - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 01 0.31 - - - - - - - -
Oct 01 0.31 - - 01 0.31 - - 02 0.63
Nov 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 02 0.63
Dec-09 02 0.63 01 0.31 02 0.63 01 0.31 01 0.31
Jan-10 01 0.31 - - - - 01 0.31 01 0.31
Feb 01 0.31 02 0.63 01 0.31 - - 01 0.31
Mar 02 0.63 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31 01 0.31
Apr 01 0.31 01 0.31 - - 04 1.30 02 0.63
May 01 0.31 01 0.31 02 0.63 02 0.63 01 0.31
Jun-10 - - - - 02 0.63 01 0.31 01 0.31
Total 10 3.43 07 3.13 10 3.13 12 3.48 12 4.06
Mean±SE 0.25±0.05 0.22±0.05 0.22±0.06 0.29±0.05 0.25±0.10 0.246±0.05
Density of Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) in the selected study sites of district Chakwal from May 2009 to June 2010. p < 0.05
Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)
MonthSite V Site VI
Mean population density in two study sites±SE
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
No.
Obs
Density
/km2
May-09 - - - - Jun - - - - Jul - - - -
Aug 01 0.31 - - Sep 02 0.63 01 0.31 Oct 02 0.63 - - Nov - - - -
Dec-09 01 0.31 - - Jan-10 02 0.63 - -
Feb 01 0.31 01 0.31 Mar 03 0.94 - - Apr 02 0.63 01 0.31 May 02 0.63 - -
Jun-10 03 0.94 - - Total 19 5.96 03 0.93
Mean±SE 0.42±0.09 0.07±0.03 0.245±0.06
POPULATION ESTIMATION
Some details about the numbers of nests probable to be occupied by three falcon species during the study period in selected study sites.
Common kestrel nest in cavity on a cliff
Red -headed merlin’s nest
Red-headed merlin juvenile
Saker falcon’s nest on a cliff
Study Site No.
Falcon species in the study site
Numbers of nests of Crows/ Kites can be occupied by the falcon species
Number of active nests
I Red-headed Merlin 28 1
II Common Kestrel 24 -
III Common Kestrel 19 -
IV Common Kestrel 22 1
V Saker Falcon & Common Kestrel
07 2
VI Red-headed Merlin 17 -
VII Red Headed Falcon 26 1
VIII Common Kestrel 15 -
Conservation Status
Red-headed Merlin• “Least Concern” (IUCN, 2010) • Appendix-II (CITES, 2010)
• Global population estimated in 2009 • 10,000 to 100,000 mature pairs
(Bird Life Int., 2010)
Common Kestrel• “Least Concern” (IUCN 2010)
• Appendix- II (CITES, 2010)
• Global population estimated is 5,000,000 (Bird Life Int., 2010)
Saker Falcon• “Endangered” (IUCN, 2010)
• Appendix-II (CITES, 2010)
• Global population is between 9,400-17,700 breeding pairs
(Dixon, 2009)
Threats
• Loss of habitat• Commercial Exploitation - Trapping and Shooting
(Ahmed, 2003) Recommendations• Tree cutting should be strictly stopped• Illegal Trapping should be checked