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Birds Of Dinder National Park From 2008-2011
Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences

Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences
Open Access

ISSN: 2375-446X

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Research Article - (2015) Volume 3, Issue 1

Birds Of Dinder National Park From 2008-2011

Mohamed Elmekki Ali Elbadawi Hussien*
Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Wildlife Department, University of Sinnar, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Mohamed Elmekki Ali Elbadawi Hussien, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Wildlife Department, University of Sinnar, Iran, Tel: 0118273000 Email:

Abstract

The study was conducted in Dinder National park. The meadows (Mayas) of Dinder National park (DNP) were studied during the dry season on 27/4-7/5/ 2008, /2009,8/3 - 18/3/2010 and 26/2-16/3/2011. The following seven mayas were studies and they are as follow: Ras Amer, Abdelgani, Gerarisa, Bet Elwahsh Simaya, Mayat Musa, Ein elshams and Abied. The park was traversed by car along the roads between meadows ecosystem and the Dehra riverbeds and Mayas region were patrolled on foot. The place where the birds used to feed and their habitat were also considered. Observations were made in early morning (6.30-10.00) and afternoon (16.00-18.00). Each maya’s visit took ten days for complete observation. The study showed that there is a wide variation in the total number of individual birds and the variation also existed in number of species(richness). It is impossible to predict the reason behind the distribution of the birds and the species richness as well except the water availability and the climate conditions.

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Keywords: National park, Birds, Habitat, Species, Maya regions

Introduction

The avian fauna of Sudan includes 931 species of birds of which reported 127 species are common in Sennar, Gedarif and Blue Nile states [1].

The park is located approximately at between latitude 12° 42′ N and longitude 34° 48′ N was established in 1935 following the London convention for the conservation of African flora and fauna. The park is complete ecological unit but characteristically some of its wildlife migrates during the rainy season where their movement is not impeded by the tall grass and thick clay and they drift back to the mentioned park in the dry season [2].

The park has three following major ecosystems:Firstly, the woodland is largest in extent and characterized by Acacia seyal(taleh), Balanites aegyptiaca (heglig) and Combretum species (habeel). The soil is characterized as a heavy cracking clay and it has tall coarse grasses including Sorghum species (Adar) and the Riverine ecosystem contains mainly doum palm ie; Hyphaenae the baica, Acacia siberiana (kook), Ziziphus abyssinica, Ziziphus spinachristi (Sidir) and Momosa pigra (shagrat Elfas). The dominant grasses are Sorghumand bracharia (Umasabie). The third ecosystem is the Mayas that constitute an important foraging ground for wildlife during the severe part of the dry season (March-June). Mayas are green meadows that hold water and provide green fodder throughout the dry season [3].

Only patchy information is available on the avian fauna of the Dinder national park, which is the closest northern national park to most urbanized centers in northern Sudan. The study of the area has become basic necessity [2].

The aims of the study focus mainly on the identification of the birds fauna, changes and quantification of these changes.

Dinder National Park is the most important terrestrial protected area in the northern states of Sudan. Located on the Ethiopian border, straddling Blue Nile and Gadarif and Sennar states. It is approximately 10,000 km² in size. The most important features of the park are a series of permanent and seasonal wetlands known locally as Mayas which are linked to streams running of the Ethiopian highlands to the east.

The habitat and wildlife of Dinder National Park can currently be described as badly degraded and under serious threat from a number of ongoing problems including encroachment, habitat degradation and poaching.

Until the 1960s, the area surrounding park was relatively uninhabited. Since then, however migration and irrational land use have resulted in development around the park, to an extent that around forty villages now exist along its boundaries.

Large-scale mechanized agriculture activities in the north and west has not only pushed traditional agricultural communities to the edge of the park, but by taking over most of the land previously used for grazing, has also led pastoralists to invade the park in large numbers. Livestock compete with wildlife for fodder and water and transmit diseases such as render pest and anthrax, while burning degrades the grassed woodland habitat. Poaching is also a major problem, as is the felling of trees for fire wood by trespassers and fires set in the course of honey extraction from the bee-hive.

Methodology

The study was conducted in Dinder National park. The meadows (Mayas) of Dinder National park (DNP) were studied during the dry season on 27/4-7/5/2008, /2009,8/3-18/3/2010 and 26/2-16/3/2011. The following seven mayas were studies and they are as follow: Ras Amer, Abdelgani, Gerarisa, Bet Elwahsh Simaya, Mayat Musa, Ein elshams and Abied. The park was traversed by car along the roads between meadows ecosystem and the Dehra riverbeds and Mayas region were patrolled on foot. The place where the birds used to feed and their habitat were also considered. Observations were made in early morning (6.30-10.00) and afternoon (16.00-18.00). Each maya’s visit took ten days for complete observation. Basic count (Direct count) is used as it is a good way to estimate population size, detect changes in population size or species diversity and also helpful in determining the cause of the changes in the environment. The data pertaining to habitat of the birds is collected as well. Basic bird counts can be completed fairly easily and is less inexpensive compared to other techniques and they provide general information about the status of a bird population.

Assessment of the same site twice on the same day is not better because these assessments are not “independent”. That is, the same birds may still be present at the same locations [4]. It is better to set up other counting sites than to re-measure the same transect again. The species are identified by using binocular and telescope and compared with plates of three different field guides of birds.

Results

It can be seen from Figure 1, that the year 2011 registered high number of individuals and with slight fluctuation from the year 2008 and there is remarkable variation with year 2008, which recorded small number of individuals. No reason known about the factors effecting the distribution of birds in the park but may be the amount of rainfall play significant role here (Figure 2).

poultry-fisheries-wildlife-sciences-Dinder

Figure 1: Number of individuals in Dinder National Park 2008-2011

poultry-fisheries-wildlife-sciences-individuals

Figure 2: Total number of individuals in the park

Discussion and Conclusion

There were changes in the bird fauna in the Park which were probably associated to climatic changes and subsequent changes in the habitat [2]. As is to be expected in and an arid country like the Sudan where water is the main factor in controlling the bird population [5] (Figure 3).

poultry-fisheries-wildlife-sciences-species

Figure 3: Number of species in the park.

Some species like Spur-winged goose, Great white Pelican and Marabou Stork showed marked increase in number in the year 2008 and 2009. It is mainly attributed to the heavy rains. The lowest number of birds registered in the 2010 is due to the decrease amount of rainfall, also the number of species was increased because the birds tend to aggregate at water sources in the park. There are some species thought to be disappeard, recorded like Emerald wood dove (Turtur chalcopilos), wattled Starling (Creatophora cinerea),White headed Babbler (Turdios leucocephala) and Green-backed Comaroptera (comaroptera prachyura) and Swainson’s Sparrow(Passer swainsonii) (Appendix 1).

No Orders Family Common name Scientific name 2008 2009 2010 2011
1. Struthioformes Struthionidae Common Ostrich Struthiocamelus 33 199 30 45
2. Pelicaniformes Pelicanidae Great white pelican pelicanusonocrotalus 450 45 5 60
3.     Pink backed pelican pelicanusrufescense     2  
4.   Anhingidae Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocoraxafricanus 11 3   10
5.   Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptusruficollis       12
6. Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae Marabou stork Leptoptiloscromenifrus 249 639 17 107
7.     Yellow billed stork Mysteria ibis     4 10
8.     wooly necked stork ciconiaepiscopus 22 79 4 26
9.     Saddle billed stork   Ephippioryhnchussenegalensis 5 2 4 9
10.     African open bill Anastomuslamelligrus 33 20 6 14
11.     Black stork Anastomuslamelligrus 3     12
12.     White Stork Ciconiaciconiaciconia   27   10
13.     Abdim Stork Ciconiaabdimii   2    
14.   Scopidae Hammerkop scopusubretta 5 2 6 4
15.   Ardeidae Grey heron Ardeacinerea 46 73 17 21
16.     Squacco heron Ardeolaralloides 9 6 2 18
17.     Black headed heron Ardeamenocephala     4 28
18.     Purple heron Ardeapurpurea 3 1   1
19.     Black-crowned night Heron Nycticoraxnycticorax       4
20.     Goliath Heron Ardea goliath       1
21.     Great egret    Egretta alba   15 8  
22.     Cattlle egret Bubulcus ibis   107 6 709
23.     yellow billed egret Mesophoyxintermedia 600      
24.     Little Egret Egrettagrazetta 35     15
25.   Threskiornithidae Sacred ibis Threskiornisaethiopicus 7 25   4
26.     Glossy ibis Plegadisfalcinellus 15 7    
27.     Hadada Ibis Hagedashhagedash       12
28.     African spoon bill Platelea alba 2 5   2
29. Anseriformes Anatidae Garganey Anasquerquedula     1 40
30.     Spur winged goose Plectropterusgambensis 254 739 42  
31.     White faced whistling duck Dendrocygnaviduata 90 76   65
32.     NorthornShoveler Anascypeata       3
33.     Pygmy goose          
34. Falconiformes Accipitridae Black kite Milvusmigrans 9 72 5 8
35.     African fish eagle Haliaeetusvocifor 1 2 1  
36.     African marsh harrier Circus ranivorus 1      
37.     Hooded vulture Necrocytresmonachus 11 7 9  
38.     Booted Vulture          
39.     Lizzard buzzard Kaupifalcomonogramicus     3  
40.     Grass hopper Buzzard Bustasturrufipennis       1
41.     White-backed vulture Gypesafricanus       4
42.   Falconidae Long crested eagle Lophaetusoccipitalis     1  
43.     Lanner falcon Falco biamicus   1    
44.     Barbary falcon Falco pelegrinoides 2 2    
45.     Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus 1 1    
46.     Lesser kestrel Falco naumanni     1 4
47.     Comon kestrel          
48.     Saker Falcon          
49. Galliformes Numididae Helmted guinea fowl Numidameleagris ** ** 500 **
50.   Phasianidae Clapperton’s Francolin Francolinus clapper Toni 11 9 7 17
51. Gruiformess Otididae Kori bustard Ardeotiskori 1   1 2
52.     Arabian Bustard Ardeotisarab   1    
53.   Rallidae Common morhen Gallinulachloropus       3
54. Charadriiformes Scolopacidae Common sand piper Tringahypoleucos   20 3 8
55.     Wood Sandpiper Tringaochropus        
56.     Green Sandpiper Tringaocropus        
57.     Little stint Calidrisminuta 13 15 5 3
58.     Ruff Philomachuspugnax 18   2 40
59.     Marsh sand piper  Tringastagnatilis     1 7
60.     Spotted thicknee(dikop) Burihnuscapensis     3  
61.     Senegal thicknee Burihnussenegalensis 5 5 9  
62.   Burhinidae Stone curlew(Euracianthicknee)   Hurihnusoedicinemus 2   3  
63.   Reurvirostridae Black winged stilt Himantopushimantopus 62 38 11 44
64.     Common ringed plover Charadrishiaticula     2  
65.   Charadriidae Spur winged plover Vannelusspinosus 13 38 4 3
66.     Black-headed Plover Vannelusspinosus 7 34   10
67.     Little ringed Plover         1
68.     African jacana Actophilomis Africana 23 3   43
69.     Lesser Jacana Microparracapensis       3
70.     Chestnut billiedSandgrouse Ptercolesexstus   2 3 1
71. Pterocolidiformes Pterocolidae Namaqua dove Oenacapensis 44 75 27 50
72. Columbiformes Columbidae African moorning dove streptopeleadecipeins 67 98 105 80
73.     Lauphing dove Streptopeleasensgalensis 53 107 80 120
74.     Emerald wood dove turturChalcospilos     2 1
75. Psittaciformes Psittacidae Rose- ringed parkeet Psittaculakrameri 4 5 4 4
76.     Blue naped mouse bird Urocoliusmacrourus 8 9 9 7
77. Colliformes Colliidae Senegal coucal Centropussenegalensis 2 5 2 2
78. Cuculiformes Centropodidae Long ­tailed night jar Caprrimulgusclimacurus   1 1 1
79. Caprimuligiformes Caprimuligidae African palm swift Cypsiurusparvus     12 35
80. Apodiformes Apodidae Little swift Apusaffinis 9 17 8 50
81.     Pied kingfisher Cerylerudis 7 6 3 9
82.     Malackite Kingfisher Alcidocristata       1
83.     Gaint Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima       1
84. Coraciiformes Alcedinidae Little bee eater Meropspussilus 17 28 18 33
85.   Meropidae Yellow throated bee eater merposbulocki     14  
86.     Red-throated Bee eater Meropsnubicoides     9 2
87.     Northern carmine bee eater coraciasabyssinica 14 24 15 400
88.   Coraciidae Abyssinian Roller coraciasabyssinica 7 25 6 43
89.   Upupidae African hoopoe Upupa Africana 2 1 2 6
90.   Bucerotidae  African pied horn bill Campetheranubica 1 1 1  
91.     Red billed hornbill Tocuserthrorynchus 1 1   1
92.     Northern- ground Horn bill Bucorvusabyssinicus       1
93. Piciformes Picidae Nubian wood picker Campetheranubica 1   1  
94. Passeriformes Dicruridae Fork-tailed drongo Dicrurusadsimilis     1 1
95.   Corvidae pied crow Corvusalvus 9 6 12 28
96.   Laniidae Lesser Grey skrike Lanius minor 2 3 1 2
97.   Sturnidae Long-tailed Starling Lamprotorniscaudatus 9 53 29 66
98.     Ruppell's Starling L amprotornispurpurpopterus   23 33 17
99.     Wattled Starling Creatophoracinerea     1  
100.      Greater blue-eared starling Lamprotornischalybaeus 12 3 18 37
101.    Malaconotidae Black-headed Gonolek Laniariuserythrogaster     3 6
102.    Muscicapidae Snowy-crowned robin chat Cossyphalaniveicapilla     2  
103.    Cistocolidae Green-backed comaroptera Camaroptera brachyuran     2 1
104.    Pycnonotidae Black Bulbul Pycnonotusbarbatus 57 43 77 55
105.    Timaliidae White-headed Babbler  (Crestchmar's) Turdoidesleucocephala     2 1
106.    Estrilidae Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes     3  
107.      Crimson -rumped Waxbill Estrildarhodopyga     2  
108.      Red-cheecked cordon bleu Uraeginthusbengatus 9 7 88 65
109.      African Silver bill Lonchuracantans 13 11 5oo 110
110.      Cut-thraoted Finch Amandinafasciata     90 50
111.      Little billied fire finch Lagonosticasenegala 25 17 50 35
112.      Village Ingigobird Vidua chalybeate     4 2
113.    Fringilidae Yellow-fronted Canary Serinusmozambicus 7 6 8 4
114.      Yellow Wagtail Motacillaflava 6 5 3 12
115.    Motacillidae African pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 5 3 5 18
116.    Nectariniidae Beautiful Sunbird Nectariniapulchella 5   7 2
117.    Ploceidae Village Weaver (spotted-backed)   Ploceustaeniopterus   12 17  
118.      Northern masked Weaver Ploceusbadius 5 2 9 5
119.      Cinnamon Weaver Ploceuscucullatus 35 5 7 35
120.      Red-billed quelea Queleaquelea   2 13  
121.    Sylvidae Buff-billied Warbler Phyllolaispulchella     3 1
122.    Passeridae House sparrow Passer domisticus 70 15 67 87
123.      Swainson's sparrow Passer swainsonii     12  

Appendex 1: Birds of Dinder National Park 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.

In general the study showed that there was decrease in number of birds that visited the park and this may be for the reason that many meadows (maya’s) were dry for the last two years such as maya Musa and Aein ashams and Simaya. Inspite of maya musa and Ein ashams were full of water in 2008-2009 but they were completely dry in 2010 in addition to Simaya in 2011. The exact reason for the variation of maya’s capacity to store water annually is not known. The relationship between the amount of water and the number of birds, besides the relationship between the amount of water and it’s level at the Meadows are very complicated.

References

  1. Mukhtar ME,ElWakeel AS (2002) Biodiversity in wildlife of the Sudan. Higher council forĀ  Environment and Natural Resourcses.Khartoum.
  2. Management Plan for Dinder National Park (2005) Higher council of environment and Natural recourses.Khartoum.Sudan.
  3. Macleay KLM (1960) The birds of Khartoum province.University of Khartoum.
Citation: Hussien MEAE (2015) Birds of Dinder National Park from 2008-2011.Poult Fish Wildl Sci 3:128.

Copyright: © 2015 Hussien MEAE. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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