Biodiversity and habitat use of wintering and breeding waterbirds in Burullus Lake (Ramsar site), Egypt

Abstract

The present study seeks to assess the bird biodiversity at the Important Bird Area (IBA) and Ramsar site,Lake Burullus, northern Egypt. Waterbirds biodiversity was assessed at 14 selected sites in the lake duringwinter and spring seasons. The assessment included richness, composition, evenness, abundance, andSimpson and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices. Bird species diversity varied spatially and temporallyamong different sites during the study period. Estimated species richness was 49 species. Winter birdswere mainly migratory waterbirds like waterfowl, distributed in the islets for foraging, which was the mainactivity of 51% of total birds, followed by 36% roosting and 13% breeding at the lake. Evidence ofbreeding was recorded, such as collecting nest material, courtship behavior and food collecting forjuveniles. The hierarchical cluster analysis separated the lake sites into four distinctive habitats: lakeshores, open water, islets and reed beds. Seven bird species showed significant affinities with differenthabitat types: Laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) favored the lake shores habitat (P< 0.04); Littlebittern (Ixobrychus minutus) (P< 0.04), Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) (P< 0.04), Common kingfisher(Alcedo atthis) (P< 0.02), Pied wagtail (Motacilla alba) (P< 0.04), and Graceful prinina (Prinia gracilis)(P< 0.01) were found in islands habitat. Little egret (Egretta garzetta) dominated the reed beds habitatgroup (P< 0.03). The results reflected the importance of Burullus Lake as a wintering and breeding habitatfor birds and suggested that more implemented conservation and management strategies should beadopted.