A winter roost count of the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) at Porbandar, Gujarat, India

Anita Chakraborty,Dhavalkumar Vargiya

doi:10.11609/jott.3617.10.11.12566-12570

Abstract

The Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus is a common to uncommon winter visitor to Gujarat. The species roosted in bushes of Prosopis juliflora in the grassland of Shiroda area, Odadar Village of Porbandar District. Communal roosts were identified by foot surveys between 9–17 November 2016. A total of 20 individuals co-existed with grazing cattle in the grassland of ca. 1km2. At present due to their restricted nesting habits and nomadic nature, the species is vulnerable to habitat loss at their feeding and roosting grounds. Conversion of open habitats to agriculture, grazing, recreation, housing and tourism development are the current threats to the species in the wetland complex. The IUCN conservation status further confirms that though they are assessed as Least Concern, in spite of the species population constantly declining with global population estimated at 3,000,000 individuals which equates to 2,000,000 mature individuals. The present study is the first systematic attempt to count a roost in Gujarat.

Highlights

The Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus is a widespread winter migrant to India (Blanford 1894)
The Short-eared Owl has an extremely large range, and it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion as well as under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over 10 years or three generations) and population size criterion (10% in 10 years or three generations, or with a specified population structure) in IUCN conservation status evaluation
Odadar and Mokar villages of Porbandar District (Fig. 1). It is located about a distance of 5km from Porbandar Somnath National Highway and connected by a tar road with Odadar and Mokar villages

Summary

Introduction

The Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus is a widespread winter migrant to India (Blanford 1894). The Short-eared Owl has an extremely large range, and it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence 30% decline over 10 years or three generations) and population size criterion (10% in 10 years or three generations, or with a specified population structure) in IUCN conservation status evaluation For these reasons the species is designated as Least Concern.

Methods

Conclusion