Recent surveys and comparisons of
birds and reptiles in St. Katherine
Protectorate, Egypt, 2007
Operation Wallacea/BioMAP Report – 2007
Matthew L. J. White - University of Plymouth, UK
Nico S. Dauphiné – University of Georgia, US
& Alaa E. Mohamed – St. Katherine Protectorate, Egypt
1
Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………..3
Study area and methods………………………………………………………..4
Wadi descriptions……………………………………………………………5
Methods………………………………………………………………………8
Results 2006……………………………………………………………………..9
Results 2007…………………………………………………………………….12
Reptile Survey Results…………………………………………………………16
Discussion……………………………………………………………………….18
Future recommendation and work plan for 2008……………………………20
Acknowledgements and references……………………………………………21
2
Introduction
Starting from 2005 St. Katherine Protectorate Important Bird Area (IBA) has been the focus of
biological research carried out by the Operation Wallacea/BioMAP Egypt international
programme. The main aim of the project is to map biodiversity across St. Katherine Protectorate,
against the effectiveness of conservation management measures can be assessed. A grid of
approximately 100 square 10km x 10km has been laid of St. Katherine Protectorate for surveys
to be completed.
This report documents the preliminary results from both seasons of bird and reptile research in
2006 and 2007.
Located where the Asian and African continents meet, the Sinai Peninsula is a distinctive
biological region with characteristic flora and fauna (Zalat et al. 2001). A large part of southern
Sinai was given protected status in 1996 through the St. Katherine Protectorate, established by
the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA). Birdlife International has given the
Protectorate Important Bird Area (IBA) status. Resident bird communities include Egypt’s
Sahara-Sindian biome-restricted species, with many of these species uncommon or not
represented in other IBA’s in Egypt (BirdLife 2005). Goodman et al. (1989) reported around 50
resident species of breeding birds in the area, including species such as Sinai Rosefinch
Carpodacus synoicus and Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii.
Southern Sinai has a predominantly mountainous environment consisting of drainage systems
made up of a number of connected wadis (ephemeral river beds). Geologically the peninsula is
split into three sections: the northern sand dunes, a central limestone plateau, and high altitude
igneous rock mountains in the south. Southern Sinai lies in the north African belt and has a
Saharan-Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot, with a mean temperature of 36°c (August) and
winters are cool with a mean minimum temperature of 7.8°C (February).
The area has an arid climate with a mean annual rainfall of 60 mm/year with the addition of
snow melt on higher mountain peaks, which can receive around 300mm/year (Grainger 2003).
Bedouin people have inhabited the mountains of southern Sinai for hundreds of years using the
land for camels, goats and sheep and tending gardens with fruit and olive trees in various wadis.
The natural resource base and cultural heritage are now at risk from significant recent
development pressures (BirdLife 2005).
The St. Katherine Protectorate is an important area for both resident and migratory birds and
deserves ongoing protection, appropriate management and further research in ecology and
community-based conservation. Birds in the St. Katherine Protectorate are threatened by
overgrazing and also recent shifts from traditional fruit crops to illegal cannabis and poppy
plantations as well as by the demands placed on water supplies by a recent increase in tourism.
Diurnal raptors in particular face the double threat of trapping for use in falconry and persecution
by residents who consider them agricultural pests. The tourism industry in the form of coastal
resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh is one of the fastest growing in the world and increasing
numbers of people are visiting the historical sites in St. Katherine. Grainger (2003) states there is
3
average of 700 tourists per day to St. Katherine’s Monastery, which has detrimental effects on
the local environment, especially water resources. Hunting has been banned in the St. Katherine
Protectorate but illegal hunting persists, and larger species such as the Sinai Leopard Panthera
pardus jarvisi have been hunted to extinction while the Nubian Ibex Capra ibex nubiana is rare
and threatened.
Study Area and Methods
Study Areas 2006 and 2007
2006
Bird surveys were conducted between June 28th and 4th August 2006 lead by Nico Dauphiné
(Operation Wallacea and University of Georgia, US), Matthew White (Operation Wallacea and
University of Plymouth, UK and Alaa Eldeen Mohamed (St. Katherine Protectorate, Egypt).
Various large wadis systems were surveyed representing a range in habitat and altitude including
in chronological order, Wadi Nasb, Ain Hodra, Wadi Marra, Sheik Awad area (Wadi Gharba),
Wadi Gebel and Wadi Itlah. Also three sites were surveyed in St. Katherine including Nuweiba,
St. Katherine Monastery and Wadi Arbaein.
Schedule of Operation Wallacea expeditions in south Sinai
Week 1 – Wadi Nasb
Week 2 – Ain Hodra
Week 3 – Wadi Marra
Week 4 – Sheik Awad area - Wadi Gharba
Week 5 – Wadi Gebel
Week 6 – Wadi Itlah
2007
Bird and reptile surveys were conducted between June 29th and July 29th lead by Matthew White
(Operation Wallacea and University of Plymouth, UK) and Alaa Eldeen Mohamed (St. Katherine
Protectorate, Egypt). Tim Newbold (University of Nottingham) also supported active searching
of reptiles in Operation Wallacea’s expedition to Wadi Kid.
Various wadis were surveyed and repeated from 2006. In the first week Ain Hodra Oasis surveys
were repeated and in the second week a new part of the Sheik Awad area was surveyed (Wadi
Sulaf). Wadi Kid was surveyed in the third week for the first time. And in the last week the three
transect sites of St. Katherine City were repeated from 2006.
4
Schedule of Operation Wallacea and BioMAP expeditions in south Sinai
Week 1 – Ain Hodra
Week 2 – Sheik Awad area (Wadi Sulaf)
Week 3 – Wadi Kid
Week 4 (BioMAP) – St Katherine City – Wadi Arbaein, St. Katherine Monastry, Nuweiba
Fig. 1 Location of bird surveys in 2006
1. Wadi Nasb 2. Wadi Marra 3. Wadi Gharaba 4. Wadi Gebel 5. Wadi Itlah 6. Ain Hodra
Wadi descriptions
Wadi Nasb (1200 – 1550 m a.s.l.) 2006
Located near to St. Katherine with predominantly rocky mountain slopes containing large
igneous intrusions. The wadi bed consists of mixture of boulders to fine gravel and there are
several walled Bedouin gardens with large palm and fruit trees supporting biodiversity.
Ain Hodra Oasis (600 a.s.l) 2006 and 2007
Near the head of Wadi Hodra in eastern Sinai, to the north-east of the road to Dahab. The site is a
series of Bedouin gardens where date palms and fruit trees are tended, also used for campsites
5
for tourists. Further afield the wadi opens into a wide river bed with steep mountain cliffs of
sandstone or metamorphic rock.
Wadi Marra (900-1000 m a.s.l.) 2006
A long wadi system with igneous scree slopes that drop into a large boulder and gravel wadi bed.
There are few Bedouin gardens but acacia trees and scrub vegetation provide grazing for several
feral camels and goats. A groundwater spring also provides a good source of water.
Sheik Awad - Wadi Gharba, Wadi Sulaf (1100 – 1200 m a.s.l.) 2006 and 2007
Located just outside the Ring Dyke within three hours walking distance to the north of St.
Katherine. This area surrounded by high granite mountains has a series of wells that area used to
irrigate flat sandy parts of the wadi bed for the UNEP World Food Program. There are a variety
of crops grown in Bedouin gardens with several different species of trees. Al Karm Ecolodge
also runs ecologically friendly accommodation for tourists in the area. In 2007 the Bedouin
community stated there was less water in the wadi this year with possible detrimental effects to
the local ecosystem.
Wadi Gebel (1800-2000 m a.s.l) (Including Wadi Zawatein, Wadi Shagg, Wadi Ahmar)
2006
These wadi systems are high altitude to the west of Gebel Musa and the town of St. Katherine.
Higher rainfall and lower temperatures help sustain fertile Bedouin gardens. Wadi Shagg is a
narrow granite ravine with gardens and patches of vegetation.
Wadi Itlah (1400-1520m a.s.l.) 2006
A narrow and long wadi system with scree slopes of extensive boulder fields which drop to the
wadi bed. Bedouin gardens are again present with water resources and several small holdings
exist. Vegetation includes trees such as Carob and Date Palm which grow in the area.
Wadi Kid (583-716m a.s.l.) 2007
Wadi Kid was first surveyed this year in 2007, southwest of Dahab.
A very dry low altitude wadi, where only one small Bedouin garden and one small settlement
were located. Most of the wadi consisted of an open flat central large gravel bottom with Acacia
trees sparsely concentrated near to the wadi sides. One small Bedouin village had a high
concentration of biodiversity situated in a date palm plantation.
6
St Katherine City – St Katherine Monastery, Wadi Arbaein, Nuweiba Control
Plate 1. Wadi Arbaein
Wadi Arbaein (1700-1900m a.s.l.)
Starting at Suez Canal University Research Centre, on the south side of St. Katherine City rising
about 4km through red granite boulders with high steep cliffs, ending at the garden of Deir El
Arbaein. Wadi Arbaein receives reasonably heavy camel and human disturbance mostly in the
late afternoon. In the winter the steep wadi sides receive snow melt from the high mountains (St.
Katherine) replenishing wells.
7
Methods
Birds
Line transects of about 1 to 3km were walked along each wadi starting around 06:00am at a slow
pace of 1 km per hour. Random stratified sampling was applied to each transect, creating a
random start and finish by using a random number program sheet. Also GPS fixes of various
points along the transect were noted with elevation and distance of track.
For each observation perpendicular distance in meters was recorded from the transect line to the
bird (single or cluster of birds) or nearest object. Bearings to the birds were used if necessary. A
Bushnell Scout laser rangefinder was used to estimate distance in 2007.
Late afternoon surveys were also conducted from around 17:00pm as bird activity was found to
be low throughout midday from surveys in 2006. Various GPS readings were recorded along the
transect line so points could be plotted on a GIS map later.
Each bird species, time, number, possible sex, flying or perched, heard or seen, habitat, distance
and notes were recorded on a pre-prepared data sheet.
The names and order of birds follows the OSME Draft Regional List of Birds (2007). Also
reptiles surveyed were identified using a guide by Baha El Din (2006).
Reptiles
From 10:00 – 11:00am temperatures began to get hot and bird activity was minimal, only
incidental observations were made after this period until the cooler late afternoon.
Reptile surveys were therefore conducted between 10:00 to 11:00 am following on from 2005
surveys. No reptile surveys were conducted in 2006.
Active searching was used most of the time to locate presence or absence of species.
Short line transects up to 500 meters were also used to survey reptiles. Five people spaced five
metres apart walked slowly through a wadi area about 1km hour. If any reptiles were seen they
were identified, and time and habitat were also recorded. Again random stratified sampling was
applied to the transects.
Density estimation
Density estimates for all expedition surveys 2007 including St Katherine, Wadi Arbaein and
Nuweiba control are presented in a separate paper (White et al 2007 in prep.). Each of the St.
Katherine City transects were repeated three times AM and PM over June and July 2007 to gain
a significant number of observations for common resident birds. Data was inputted and analyzed
in Distance 5.0. Observations of bird species at St. Katherine City have been added to Table 1
(page 11,15) but abundance data has not been added.
8
Results 2006
Preliminary results, diversity and abundance
Overall diversity and abundance
A total of 32 species of birds were recorded in and out of surveys from 28th June to the 4th
August 2006. Wadi Nasb had the highest diversity of different species observed (20).
Rock Doves were most abundant in total over St. Katherine Protectorate (417) birds. With Rock
Martin second (277) birds, then White-tailed Wheatear (195) birds.
White-tailed Wheatears were most diverse across sites species recorded in all thirty eight wadi
surveys in various habitats. Rock martins were second most widespread (32/38 surveys), third
was Laughing Dove (27/38 surveys).
A survey sample effort of c50 hours was applied in 2006.
Wadi Surveys
Wadi Nasb
Wadi Nasb surveyed with six line transects had the highest total abundance of birds (522) and
also the highest number of species recorded (20).
Notably one Hume’s Tawny Owl was heard calling at night.
Ain Hodra
Lowest abundance was recorded in Ain Hodra, 138 individuals and a maximum of 10 species,
but notably only in four surveys.
One Egyptian Vulture was noted soaring off of the steep wadi sides.
Wadi Marra
Wadi Marra on the other hand was surveyed five times with a lower total abundance of 140
individuals and a maximum 10 species.
Various other species were recorded out of the surveys on an ad hoc basis such as Brown-necked
raven
Bonelli’s Warbler was also observed using acacia trees as stop over and foraging sites.
9
Wadi Gharba
Wadi Gharba had 15 different species in total, with a good number of Rock Martin (49) and
Desert Lark (45).
Wadi Gebel
Wadi Gebel also surveyed six times had the second highest total of 433 individual birds and a
maximum of 13 species seen on one transect.
Wadi Gebel had the highest abundance of Streaked Scrub Warbler in all wadi sites (46).
Additional surveys in 2006
Wadi Arbaein
Short-toed Eagles were not identified correctly in 2006 at Wadi Arbaein and a pair of Bonelli’s
Eagles as identified by the author with a juvenile in 2007. This is discussed in the 2007 results.
St. Katherine Mountain
Surveyed additionally had a total of 6 species recorded with a large number of Scrub Warblers
for such a high altitude survey.
Species abundance for each wadi survey in 2006 can be found on page 11.
10
1
9
1
10
1
142
43
24
10
32
5
23
7
45
164
1
64
18
31
1
3
47
1
11
20
40
26
59
5
38
6
2
69
1
4
2
44
9
49
12
17
5
1
1
1
8
5
6
34
11
1
80
46
1
42
1
11
13
1
18
30
15
7
29
14
10
3
1
5
7
2
3
6
6
3
20
433
1
17
277
5
8
23
2
1
48
3
63
522
138
45
1
140
25
279
Total
St Katherine Mount
30
Wadi Itlah
Wadi Gebel
15
7
4
*
2
6
5
12
21
4
4
2
13
Wadi Gharba
R
M
M
M
M
M
R
M
R
R
R
R
R
7
Wadi Marra
6
3
1
3
2
17
7
27
*
2
1
38
*
*
18
15
4
32
24
Ain Hodra
No. of Surveys Rec.
R
R
M
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
M
R
R
R
R
R
Wadi Nasb
Status
Species
Sand partridge Ammoperdix heyi
Chukar Alectoris chukar
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Hume's Owl Strix butleri
Rock Dove Columba livia
Eurasean Collared Dove Streptophilia decaoto
Laughing Dove Streptophilia senegalensis
Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis
White-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga
Hooded Wheatear Oenanathe monacha
Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes
Blackstart Cercomela melanura
Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii
Eurasean Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris
Rock Martin Hurundo fuligula
Streaked Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta
White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus
xanthophygos
Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida
Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Bonelli's Walrbler Phylloscopus bonellis
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena
Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis
Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti
Palestine Sunbird Nectarinia osea
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Trumpeter Finch Rhodopechys githaginea
Sinai Rosefinch Carpodactus synoicus
TOTAL
* = observed out of expedition survey
16
31
1
10
2
417
22
169
*
2
3
195
*
*
88
73
19
277
96
63
24
7
*
3
14
11
19
81
2
49
3
109
1806
Fig . 2 Species abundance for each wadi survey in 2006
11
Results 2007
A total of 33 different species of birds were recorded in and out of surveys (17 expedition & 16
other surveys) from 29th June to the 29th July 2007. Table of species abundance for each wadi
survey in 2007 is documented on page 15. Survey effort in transects was around 40 hours,
around 20 in expedition surveys and about 20 in St. Katherine surveys. St. Katherine City had
the highest diversity of species (22) but it must be noted that survey effort was much greater for
this site with 18 separate transects, as opposed to five for a wadi expedition survey.
Rock Doves were most abundant again in total over St. Katherine Protectorate (221) birds. With
many more observed in St. Katherine City surveys. Laughing Dove was much less abundant (77)
seen over the three expeditions and interestingly Desert Lark was third most abundant (65).
Alanna Maltby (2006)
Plate 2. Desert Lark
The Sheik Awad area (Wadi Sulaf) had the highest total number of birds of all three expeditions
(313).
Rock Doves were also the most diverse over expedition surveys (12/15) then Rock Martin and
White-tailed Wheatear (10/15)
12
Wadi Surveys
Ain Hodra
11 different species were recorded in and out of surveys. Rock Dove (76) and Laughing Dove
(56) were by far the most abundant of the four transects.
Importantly a male Hooded Wheatear was recorded perching on a rock in the main Wadi Hodra,
maybe missed from the surveys in 2006.
A single Egyptian Vulture was observed out of survey soaring over the Wadi Hodra cliffs,
present in 2006 as well.
Sheik Awad area – Wadi Sulaf
11 species were recorded at the Sheik Awad site from 5 transects. Rock Dove (127) followed by
Desert Lark (59) were the most abundant species.
Importantly a male Mourning Wheatear was noted out of survey on 12 July at 19:12pm perched
on a rock in Wadi Sulaf. Mourning Wheatear has not been recorded since 2002 on a survey in St.
Katherine Protectorate.
Also a Common Kestral was seen gliding over Wadi Gharba on 12 July 2007 at 10:20am,
probably the same bird that was hand reared mentioned by Meakin et al (2005).
Wadi Kid
A higher number of species were recorded at Wadi Kid (16) but in much lower abundance.
Again Rock Dove was most abundant (18) over 5 surveys then Sand Partridge (17).
Two birds of note recorded in surveys were two species of Cuckoo, both seen initially in the
Bedouin garden. The Common Cuckoo appeared to be mocked by White-spectacled Bulbuls, not
seen on survey since 2002. And the rarer Great Spotted Cuckoo was observed perching on a data
palm, not seen on survey since 2005.
Another interesting observation was the pair of Brown-necked Ravens not seen on any other
survey this year, including St. Katherine City. The pair was observed several times out of survey
gliding over the wadi cliffs in early morning and late evening.
A small number of Olivaceous Warblers were observed on survey using Acacia trees for stopover sites on migration, again evidence of early migration across the Sinai.
Also a dead female Kestrel was found outside the Bedouin garden, cause of death unknown.
13
St. Katherine City Repeat Surveys
St Katherine definitely harboured the most diversity of species (22). Over 18 transects in St.
Katherine, again Rock Dove and Laughing Dove were most abundant based around human
habitation.
Interesting additions to the species list include the Bonelli’s Eagle mentioned earlier. These
species were miss-identified from 2006 Short-toed Eagles. After four clear observations
throughout June and July a pair of Bonelli’s Eagle were positively identified flying and perching
in various locations along Wadi Arbaein in early morning and late afternoon. On one occasion a
young juvenile was seen flying by the side of one of the adults, strong evidence that breeding has
taken place.
After several conversations with local Bedouin they also positively identified the eagles from
field guides and said they may have moved from Wadi Gebel to breeding in Wadi Arbaein two
years ago.
Baha El Din (2000) notes that Bonelli’s Eagle were present in Wadi Arbaein in 2000 and it is
most likely the population has been stable since this time, probably feeding off a good supply of
Rock Hyrax and Spiny Mouse in the area.
On the 28th of July about 06:19am seven Common Sandpiper were seen roosting outside St.
Katherine Protectorate visitor centre on a Nuweiba control transect. They were again noted in the
followed survey at 18:07pm in the same position. This is a first record in survey for Common
Sandpiper in St. Katherine City and the birds were most probably passage migrants on their way
to more coastal areas.
14
*
17
2
76
127
18
56
13
8
1
1
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
12
1
11
6
*
34
*
*
3
5
12
12
2
2
5
59
7
3
10
2
8
7
4
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
15
181
48
313
93
*
*
*
Total
St. Katherine City
Wadi Kid
1
1
*
*
*
12
*
8
1
1
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
9
1
5
3
10
4
4
3
*
*
*
10
*
2
*
4
Sheik Awad (Wadi Sulaf)
No. of Surveys Rec. (15)
R
R
R
R
M
R
R
R
M
M
R
R
R
R
M
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
M
M
R
M
R
R
R
R
R
Ain Hodra
Status
Species
Sand partridge Ammoperdix heyi
Chukar Alectoris chukar
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Hume's Owl Strix butleri
Common Swift Apus apus
Rock Dove Columba livia
Eurasean Collared-Dove Streptophilia decaocto
Laughing Dove Streptophilia senegalensis
Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Common Kestral Falco tinnunculus
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis
Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens
White-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga
Hooded Wheatear Oenanathe monacha
Blackstart Cercomela melanura
Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii
Rock Martin Hurundo fuligula
Streaked Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta
White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthophygos
Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida
Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum
Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena
Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis
Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti
Palestine Sunbird Nectarinia osea
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Trumpeter Finch
Sinai Rosefinch Carpodactus synoicus
TOTAL
* observed out of expedition survey
17
2
*
*
221
*
77
1
1
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
51
1
21
8
28
14
10
7
*
*
*
65
*
15
*
48
587
Fig. 3 Species abundance for each wadi survey in 2007
15
Reptile survey results
A total of nine species were directly seen in and out of reptile surveys from the 29th June to the
29th July 2007. Again St. Katherine appeared to have the most diversity of species (7) seen out of
surveys. In survey expeditions Wadi Kid had the highest diversity of species (4).
Bosc’s Lizard (91%) was by far the most abundant species out of all expedition surveys then
only individuals of other species were observed. It must be noted out of survey many
observations of Geckos were reported but still not close to the Bosc’s Lizard total. Bosc’s Lizard
and Egyptian Gecko were seen in all sites.
Plate 3. Bosc’s Lizard basking
In terms of wadi sites Sheik Awad area had the highest abundance of Bosc’s Lizard (23/38 total).
They seemed to prefer the sandy open wadi bed with sparse vegetation to hide and bask.
Most time was spent observing lizards on an ad hoc basis at the same time as bird surveys and
many individuals were noted. Also at least five Starred Agama and one Mount Sinai Lizard in
Wadi Arbaein were observed over June and July 2007.
A Burton’s Carpet Viper was seen near the camp site at Sheik Awad (Truscott Pers. Com.).
16
St. Katherine
Total
Wadi Kid
Sheik Awad
area
Ain Hodra
*
*
*
*
*
1
*
1
1
*
35
*
*
38
Species
Mount Sinai Gecko Hemidactylus minidiae
Egyptian Fan-tailed Gecko Ptyodactylus
hasselquistii
Starred Agama Laudakia stellio
Sinai Agama Pseudotrapslus sinaitus
Pallid Agama Trapelus pallidus
Egyptian Dabb Lizard Uromastryx aegyptia
Bosc's Lizard Acanthodactylus pardalis
Mount Sinai Lizard Messalina bahaeldini
Burton's Carpet Viper Echis coloratus
TOTAL
* = seen out of survey
*
*
1
1
*
1
12
23
13
*
23
*
*
*
*
2
*
Fig. 4 Total number of reptiles observed on expedition surveys
3%
3%3%
Bosc's Lizard
Egyptian Fan-tailed
Gecko
Sinai Agama
Pallid Agama
91%
Fig. 5 Percentage of reptiles observed on expedition surveys
17
Discussion
Over two summers of Operation Wallacea surveys in 2006 and 2007 a total of 40 species of bird
were observed. 32 in 2006 with eight new additions in 2007, including a rare migrant Great
Spotted Cuckoo at Wadi Kid and rare wetland visitors to St. Katherine the Common Sandpiper.
Around 12 were autumn passage migrants. 25 of the 50 breeding bird species that were recorded
in the area 20 years ago were detected (Goodwin el al 1989), a strong indication of recent
extirpations and declines of breeding birds in south Sinai.
Birds of Prey
In 2006 only three of the 15 birds of prey previously recognised as breeding in the Protectorate
were recorded (Bonelli’s Eagle, Egyptian Vulture and Hume’s Tawny Owl). This was again the
case in 2007 bird surveys. In 2007 with much less survey effort five species of bird of prey were
observed.
Bonelli’s Eagle mis-identified in 2006 due to far off observations showed strong indications of
breeding. Two adults were recorded perching in the same mountain crag location as 2006 in
Wadi Arbaein, with one juvenile observed twice near the adults. Other birds of prey were
recorded such as a Sooty Falcon at Wadi Itlah, a good sighting of a Kestral at St. Katherine
Monastery plus another at Wadi Gharba (Sheik Awad) and Wadi Kid. An Egyptian Vulture was
observed at Ain Hodra for the second year running and Hume’s Tawny Owl responded to
playback at Wadi Arbaein. Therefore with continued survey effort over the summer season in
2007 more species maybe missed in 2006 have been observed.
These are still very low numbers of birds for such a large area in St. Katherine Protectorate.
Diurnal raptors in particular face direct double threats of trapping for use in falconry and
persecution by residents who consider them agricultural pests. Hunting is said to be banned in St.
Katherine Protectorate but illegal hunting persists with pressures on the Bedouin to find an
income and source of food. Hunting will probably have bad negative effect on local populations
of birds of prey (and other predators), as small mammals such as Rock Hyrax and birds like the
Sand Partridge are important prey for larger eagles (Baha El Din 2000).
Wheatears
In 2006 and 2007 White-tailed Wheatears were common across most of the Wadi surveys. But in
2006 there was only one observation of a Hooded Wheatear. Importantly repeating surveys in
2007 helped show a better status for Hooded Wheatear, observed four times over three different
wadi systems (Ain Hodra, Wadi Sulaf, Wadi Kid). Two of these areas were surveyed in 2006
(Ain Hodra and Wadi Sulaf). Also the observation of the Mourning Wheatear was important,
they have not been recorded in Operation Wallacea surveys from 2005 and the last observation
in St. Katherine Protectorate on a survey was 2002 (Meakin et al 2005).
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Threats
As well as threats to birds of prey there are several problems facing the birds communities in St.
Katherine Protectorate.
Overgrazing and shifts to illegal crops
Overgrazing is one of the most important problems facing the St. Katherine Protectorate.
Photographs from the turn of the century show a significant and steep decline in the plant cover
of the area. This will surely have a heavy effect on the density and composition of the fauna of
the region (Baha El Din 2000).
Recent shifts from traditional fruit crops to illegal cannabis and poppy gardens may change and
decrease variety food sources for birds, although species such as the Sinai Rosefinch were
observed feeding on poppy seeds.
Plate 4. Cannabis sativa crops at one of the expedition survey locations
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Future recommendations and work plan for 2008 season
Operation Wallacea Egypt
With the support of two important members of BioMAP, Dr. Samy Zalat (BioMAP and Suez
Canal University) and Dr. Francis Gilbert (Nottingham University) in 2007 the project benefited
from having much more scientific coordination, as opposed to 2006. This should be continued in
future Operation Wallacea projects, with experienced academics present on site each year.
Lecture material was also improved and students were challenged more with a higher level of
learning and knowledge. Also staff such as Matthew White (Ornithologist) repeating years could
build on prior knowledge and call on experience to solve logistical problems in the field, such as
timing of transects in the morning and afternoon and identification of species.
The purchase of much needed field equipment in 2007 such as; ten pairs of 10 x 50 binoculars
various bird and reptile field guides and a laser rangefinder for surveying birds also once again
improved the quality of field research and teaching and learning resources for Operation
Wallacea, BioMAP, St. Katherine Protectorate rangers and the British Council. Previous
suggestions by former staff have been taken seriously and acted upon in the greater interest of
quality science.
The reduction in bird group sizes from 2006 to no more than five greatly improved the quality of
the surveys as there was less disturbance. Also each member of the group had a task to
undertake.
Regarding reptile research a member of staff should be recruited for the 2008 season as the
surveys were very popular with students. More effort could be deployed to reptile surveys and
thus would not encroach on bird surveys.
Further Research
Operation Wallacea Egypt in collaboration with BioMAP and in the future BioNET, funding
permitted, could extend surveys from the summer time to coincide with some of the spring
breeding season of resident birds as well as passage migrants. This may further clarify what
species actually breed in St. Katherine Protectorate and is of high importance with breeding
populations of the rare Bonelli’s Eagle (Baha El Din 2000).
Long-term monitoring, ten years or more, is needed to support conservation management
schemes to combat human induced pressure on communities and ecosystems, which themselves
have an impact over longer temporal periods (Spellerberg 2005).
Also soaring bird migration surveys could be conducted in the spring and autumn in St.
Katherine (Baha El Din 2000).
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The development of a PhD proposal by Matthew White with Nottingham University (Dr. Francis
Gilbert) to study desert bird communities and habitat associations could fill the void of much
needed research in ornithology that is lacking in Egypt. This would complement a PhD that is
currently taking place to investigating biodiversity in Egypt with Tim Newbold (Nottingham
University).
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Dr. Tim Coles of Operation Wallacea for overseeing the project in Egypt in 2006 and
2007; Dr. Francis Gilbert and Dr. Samy Zalat for support in 2007 and St. Katherine Protectorate
staff Alaa Eldeen Mohamed (St. Katherine Protectorate) for collaboration, friendship and
logistical help on most of the surveys. Also the Bedouin for expert guiding help. Dave and
Cheryl Byng with their great coordination help in 2007. Alanna Maltby the Bat Scientist for her
support and friendship in the field and some excellent pictures of birds in 2006, and Clay
Trauernicht (Botanist) and Jeremy Truscott (Bat Scientist) for contributing to another excellent
team in 2007. Thanks for the help from Operation Wallacea volunteers such as David Doyle
(University of Durham, UK, 2006) and Reed Loy (University of New Hampshire, US, 2007) and
Julie Valentine (Liverpool John Moores Univerisity, UK, 2007) in bird surveys; also the British
Council Egyptian volunteers and schools in the UK 2007 (Lewis School Pegham, Redruth
School and Bromley College).
References
Baha el Din, M.F. & Baha El Din, M. (2000) Biodiversity Inventory and Monitoring in St.
Katherine Protectorate, with a special emphasis on reptiles and birds of prey. Draft Report
Unpublished.
Baha El Din, S. (2006) A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt. The American
University in Cairo Press.
Birdlife International (2005) Birdlife IBA Factsheet: St Katherine Protectorate. Available at
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=6211&m=0.
Birdlife International, Cambridge.
Goodman, S.M., Meininger, P.L., Baha El Din, S.M., Hobbs, J.J, & Mullie, W.C. (1989) The
Birds of Egypt. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Grainger, J. (2003) ‘People are living in the park’. Linking biodiversity conservation to
community development in the Middle East region: a case study from the Saint Katherine
Protectorate, Southern Sinai. Journal of Arid Environments. Vol. 54, pp29-38.
Meakin, K., de Kort, R. S, Gilbert, H, Gilbert, F, Zalat, S., Mohi, L., Ibrahim, S., Griffin, J. & the
volunteers of Operation Wallacea in Egypt (2005) Monitoring birds, reptiles and butterflies in
the St. Katherine Protectorate, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Biology, Vol. 7 pp 66-95.
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Snow, D.W., Perrins, C.M., Gilmoor, R., Hillcoat, B., Roselaar, C.S., Vincent, D., Wallace
D.I.M., & Wilson, M.G. (1998) The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition. Oxford
University Press, Oxford.
Zalat, S, Semida, F, Gilbert, F, El Banna, S, Sayed, E, El-Alqamy, H and Behnke, J 2001. Spatial
variation in the biodiversity of Bedouin gardens in the St. Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai,
Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Biology. Vol. 3, pp 147-155.
Contact details for Matthew White [email protected]
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