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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

Studying Aquatic Birds in the area between

the Gaza Fishermen Port and Wadi Gaza

Estuary, Gaza Strip, Palestine

في المنطقة ما بين ميناء الصيادين في غزة الطيور المائيةدراسة

قطاع غزة ، فلسطين وادي غزة ، مصبو

By: Ayman Wadi’ Youssef Dardona (M.Sc. Limnology) and

Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa (Dr.Sc. Zoology)

Photo (1). Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) flying near the Gaza Beach Camp

Sea. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 05.02.2014.

Preface

The term water bird, waterbird or aquatic bird (not to be confused with wading birds) is used to refer to birds that live on or around water. Some definitions apply the term especially to birds in freshwater habitats, though others make no distinction from birds that inhabit marine environments. In addition, some water birds are more terrestrial or aquatic than others, and their adaptations will vary depending on their environment. These adaptations include webbed feet, bills and legs adapted to feed in water, and the ability to dive from the surface or the air to catch prey in water (Wikipedia). In this article we are going to mention the aquatic bird species that exist in the

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

area between the Gaza Fisherman Port and Wadi Gaza Estuary either as residents, visitors, or coming as stopovers.

Photo (2). Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) at the Gaza Fishermen Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 24.12.2014 …. The Black-headed Gulls is migrating and visiting our coastal areas in winter; it is a small bird with a length of 34-37 cm. It is the most widespread aquatic bird near the beach during early and late winter; it is mostly seen near the sewage outlets.

Area of Observations

The area of observations included a part of the Gaza coast which extends from the Wadi Gaza Estuary to the Gaza Fishermen Port to the north of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. This area is characterized by the presence of several sewage outlets especially in Wadi Gaza and around the Gaza Fishermen Port. This section of the Gaza coast means that there is a high concentration of nutrients; so this area is considered a good feeding and breeding place for aquatic birds. The observation began from spring 2013 until winter 2015, and this means the observation of varieties through two winters.

The aquatic birds in the winter season prefer the shallow areas and are mostly in high numbers around the sewage outlets; and this is because these outlets are good places for their feeding and breeding. These aquatic birds are not the only observed birds near these outlets, but some other birds which cannot be

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

considered as aquatic were also seen. The study area is divided into three zones: Gaza Fisherman Port, Shalehat Area and Wadi Gaza Estuary. In this study we will mention the birds which were observed in the study area according to each zone. Starting from the north; the first zone is the Gaza Fishermen Port which is considered the main port for fishing in Gaza city; the zone includes also a part of the Gaza Beach Camp. The second area includes the part of the sea in front of the Shalehat area, and it is characterized by the presence of sewage outlets. The third area includes the coast zone in front of Wadi Gaza Estuary and this may have some birds in common with the wetlands. In this study we will not go in details with the wetland birds, but we will refer to the common birds especially some species of Gulls which lives in shallow marine environment or wetlands. In General the study is depended on photographic documentation and some descriptive information; the descriptive study includes the bird’s behaviour and ecology.

Photo (3). This photo which was taken at the Gaza Fishermen Port shows the main aquatic birds in spring; this means that in some periods all the aquatic birds can be seen … Number 1 refers to the Yellow-legged Gull (Adult); Number 2 refers to the Lesser Black-backed Gull; Number 3 shows the Black-headed Gull; and Number 4 the Sandwich Tern. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 25.03.2014.

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The Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) migrates to the Gaza coastal

areas from North Europe where they breed. It comes to the coastal area in

winter; the length of the bird varies from 52-67 cm; it is seen as number 2 in

the above photo.

1. Gaza Fishermen Port

Our observations record that the commonest bird in the port in winter especially in December and January is the Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus); it is also recorded in spring but with smaller numbers. In spring especially in April the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is recorded with remarkable numbers. Also the lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), the Yellow–legged Gull (Larus michahellis), and the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) are recorded especially in early and late winter; and they are also recorded in spring. In the Gaza Fishermen Port both the Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) are recorded near the shallow waters of the Sea Port. In spring especially in the month of April, the Gulls are present especially the Black-headed Gull, and in this period the Common Tern is well recorded; also the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is recorded in the south part of the port towards the Beach Camp close to the old Fishermen Port. In General, it is noticed in terms of numbers that the Black-headed Gull is the most abundant bird in the sea port during winter, followed by the Yellow–legged Gull, and the Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis). These are the most abundant birds observed during this study period; then with fewer numbers the Lesser Black-backed Gull, the Common Kingfisher, the Pied Kingfisher, the Little Egret, the Great Cormorant, and the Common Tern. That does not mean in any way that the mentioned birds are the only aquatic birds observed in the Fishermen Port, but these are the birds which were observed and recorded during the observation period. In the past, some other Gulls and aquatic birds were recorded from the Fishermen Port, but during the study period nothing else was recorded. It is important to mention here that other species of birds are recorded from the Fishermen Port, but these birds are not considered aquatic, but they are related to water like the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) which is observed inside the port, the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), the Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix), and others.

Birds observed in the Gaza Fishermen Port

Common Name

Scientific Name

سم اإل العربي

1-Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

غاق الماء ريبكلا

2-Sandwich Tern

Sterna sandvicensis

ةخرشن ةساندويتشي

3-Black- headed Gull

Larus ridibundus

نورس أسود الرأس

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

4-Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus نورس سود أ صغير الظهر

5-Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellis

نورس أصفر الساقين

7-Little Egret Egretta garzetta

بلشون أبيض صغير

8-Common Tern

Sterna hirundo خطاف بحر شائع

9-Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis صياد السمك الشائع

10-Pied Kingfisher

Ceryle rudis صيادالسمك األبقع

Yellow–legged Gull (Larus michahellis).

It is a migrating species and is also a resident bird in Gaza; the migrating gulls come from Europe in winter and join the resident gulls. The photo below shows the Juveniles of the Yellow-legged Gull inside the Gaza Fishermen Port in October 2014. The length of the bird is from 52-58 cm.

Photo (4). Juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis) inside the Gaza Fishermen Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 14.10.2014.

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Photo (5). A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) inside the Gaza Fishermen Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 14.10.2014.

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

There are three recorded species of Kingfishers in Palestine: the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), the Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and the White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). The latter is not related to water while the Common and Pied Kingfishers exist in the shallow waters, and they have been observed in the Gaza Fishermen Port where they catch and feed on fishes.

Photo (6). Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) flying around the Gaza Fishermen Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 05.02.2014.

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Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) and Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

Both of them are coming to Gaza during the winter and spring, but it is noted that the Common Tern is the commonest in spring. The pictures below show the Common and Sandwich Terns respectively in the Gaza Fishermen Port.

Photo (7). A Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) inside the Gaza Fishermen Port. Photo

by: Ayman Dardona. 13.04.2014.

Photo (8). Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) inside the Gaza Fishermen Port. Photo

by: Ayman Dardona. 19.06.2014.

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2. Shalehat Area

The sea section in front of this region is a good place to observe birds and this is due to the presence of sewage outlets which means there is enough nutrients, and it is a good feeding and breeding place for aquatic birds. No aquatic birds are recorded here in summer due to the disturbance by people that prefer going to beach area in summer. In winter, and during our monitoring and survey it was noted that the Gulls are the most observed birds; the most recorded species is the Black-headed Gull in its winter and summer plumage, the Little Gull (Larus minutus) but in smaller numbers, the Little Egret with higher numbers in early winter and less numbers in late winter. The Yellow-legged Gull in its adult and juvenile forms are recorded especially in early winter, while the Lesser Black-backed Gull is recorded with small numbers in early winter in its adult form. Also the Little Stint (Calidris minuta) is recorded with small numbers in winter especially in January. Noticed in late winter, was also the presence of several species of pigeons and other birds like the White Wagtail which are recorded breeding close to the beach. It is also noticed here that the Black-headed Gull is the most widespread species, and then the Little Egret especially in January, and the Yellow–legged Gull in its juvenile stage especially in the month of October. The gulls prefer to be close the sewage outlets searching for food.

Photo (9). Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) near the Shalehat Area at the Gaza Fishermen

Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 11.01.2015.

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

This species is common in all continents except South America. It is a migrant and resident bird in the Gaza strip especially around the coastal area and in the wetland area in Wadi Gaza. The length of the bird is 55-65 cm.

Photo (10). Little Gull (Larus minutus) between the Shalehat Area and the Gaza

Fishermen Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 18.02.2014.

Photo (11). Little Stint (Calidris minuta) near the Shalehat Area at the Gaza Fishermen

Port. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 05.01.2014.

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

Little Gull (Larus minutus)

It exists in the Baltic Sea and across the Mediterranean Sea in winter. It is a small gull with a length of 25-29 cm. and it is observed in this zone of the Gaza Sea in very small numbers.

Little stint (Calidris minuta)

It spends the winter in the coastal area; length is between 12-14 cm. It is observed in the Gaza Sea Area close to the Shalehat Area in small numbers seeking for food around the sewage outlets.

Birds observed in front of the Shalehat Area in Gaza

Common Name

Scientific Name

األسم العربي

1-Little Stint Calidris minuta

الدريجة الصغيرة

2-Little Egret Egretta garzetta

بلشون أبيض صغير

3-Little Gull Larus minutus نورس صغير

4-Lesser Black-backed

Gull

Larus fuscus نورس سود أ ريغص

الظهر

5-Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellis

نورس أصفر الساقين

6-Black-

headed Gull

Larus ridibundus

نورس أسود الرأس

Photo (12). Black-headed Gulls near the Shalehat Area. Photo: A. Dardona. 19.11.2014

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Photo (13). The Little Egret and Little Stints near the Shalehat Area in Gaza. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 04.01.2014.

Photo (14). A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) near the Shalehat Area in Gaza. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 11.01.2014.

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Photo (15). An adult Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) near the Shalehat Area in

Gaza. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 27.01.2014.

Photo (16). Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) near the Shalehat Area in Gaza. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 15.03.2014.

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3. Wadi Gaza Estuary

The Wadi Gaza outlet is the sea beach in front of the Wadi Gaza Estuary; the Wadi Gaza wetland is excluded in this study. We have started to observe the aquatic birds in this area in November 2013; we recorded high numbers of both the Little Egret and the Black-headed Gulls; the numbers are almost similar; that could be due that these two bird species can inhabit the wetlands, and can enjoy the two ecological systems. In winter 2014 it was also observed that these birds were moving between the Gaza Sea and Wadi Gaza, especially after the establishment of the new sewage ponds; these new ponds may serve as a good habitat for aquatic birds especially the common ones like the Black-headed Gull and the Little Egret. The sea area in front of Wadi Gaza serves as a good place for feeding and breeding for aquatic birds, and this is due to the high concentration of nutrients at the Estuary. During this study and especially in October 2014, the Lesser Black-backed Gull was recorded in small numbers, and it was the first time to record the Sanderling (Calidris alba). Eight Sanderlings at the sea beach close to the Wadi Gaza Estuary were observed. In conclusion it is noted that in the study area the Black-headed Gulls and the Little Egret were the most abundant birds during winter.

Photo (17). The Sanderling (Calidris alba) at Wadi Gaza Estuary. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 16.10.2014. The Sanderling is a migrating bird from the Polar region; it is common and is seen in the Middle East and North African coasts through winter. It was observed in Gaza in October 2014. The length of this bird is 18-20 cm.

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Birds observed in the Sea section in front of Wadi Gaza

Common Name

Scientific Name

سم اإل العربي

1-Sanderling Calidris alba الدريجة البيضاء

2-Little Egret Egretta garzetta

بلشون أبيض صغير

3-Black-

headed Gull

Larus ridibundus

نورس أسود الرأس

4-Lesser Black-backed

Gull

Larus fuscus نورس سود أ ريغص

الظهر

Photo (18). Sanderlings (Calidris alba) at Wadi Gaza Estuary. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 16.10.2014.

The Black-headed Gull, the Little Egret, and the Lesser Black–backed gull are present at Wadi Gaza Estuary. The establishment of the new sewage ponds in Wadi Gaza makes it a good place for some aquatic birds to be existent and to move from Gaza Sea to Wadi Gaza and vice versa. Below are some photos of aquatic birds which were observed in the Wadi Gaza Estuary. The last photo is of the Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) in the new established sewage ponds in the wetland area in Wadi Gaza.

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 124 – April 2015

Photo (19). Group of Aquatic Birds at Wadi Gaza Estuary. Photo by: Ayman

Dardona. 13.11.2013.

Photo (20). Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) at the Wadi Gaza Estuary. Photo

by: Ayman Dardona. 16.10.2014.

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Photo (21). Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) at the new established sewage ponds in Wadi Gaza. Photo by: Ayman Dardona. 08.12.2014.

Conclusions and Recommendations

From our observations it is well concluded that the Black-headed Gull is the most widespread aquatic bird in the study area. On the other hand it is noted that the coastal area of the Gaza strip is a potential birding area especially for aquatic birds; but the disturbance of humans in the summer time limit the existence of aquatic birds in spring and summer time. These are not all the birds in the study area, but this study gives basic information on the species which can be expected in this area; also the establishment of the new sewage ponds for the treatment of wastewater in Wadi Gaza may serve as a good place for aquatic birds. Actually the study of aquatic birds is important and it should be encouraged.

Here are the main recommendations for the decision makers:

1- Encouraging scientific research in this area. 2- Increasing the birding potential and to improve the management of the

Gaza Sea and the Fishermen Port, and this will improve the conditions for the birds for stopovers

3- Establishment of bird stations for bird monitoring without disturbance. 4- Publishing booklets and brochures to help interested persons to

identify and observe aquatic birds.

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5- Establishment of a protected area in Gaza for aquatic birds. 6- To change laws and policies toward the concept of biodiversity and to

enhance these concepts in schools and higher education establishments.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all people and researchers who helped to accomplish this article on aquatic birds in a part of the Gaza seawaters. Many thanks go to the Environmental Education Center and especially to Mr. Farhoud Michael who helped in identifying the birds; and many thanks go to both Ass. Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Abd Rabou from the Islamic University of Gaza and the researcher Daoud Al-Hali from Jerusalem for their continuous help and encouragement to document the biodiversity in the Gaza Strip.

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Netherlands. Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1986). A List of the Birds of Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178-6288. Department of Zoology, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom. Number 8. Fourth Year. January 1986 AD, Jamada Oula 1406 H. pp. 1-24. (In Arabic and English). Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1994). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Shqae'q Al-Nouma'n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 16-21. (in Arabic). Khalaf, Norman Ali (Co-Author) (2005, 2006, 2007). Chapter 3: Geography, Flora and Fauna. Pages 32-39. In: Palestine: A Guide. By Mariam Shahin, Photography by George Azar. Co-Author: Norman Ali Khalaf. Northampton, Massachusetts: Interlink Publishing Group, 2005, 2006. xi + 471 pages. Appendices to page 500. http://ipsnewsite.mysite4now.com/journals.aspx?id=7323&jid=1&href=fulltext Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014). Fauna Palaestina – Part Four. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Vier. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN 978-9950-383-77-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pp. 456 (English part 378 pages and Arabic part 78 pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestina-part-1.webs.com/faunapalaestina4.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2016). The First Palestinian Wildlife Photography Exhibition in the Gaza Strip in November 2014. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 138, June 2016. pp. 1-35. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-references.webs.com/gazawildlifephoto2014.htm Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory. http://www.medwetlands-obs.org/ Ministry of Environmental Affairs (MEnA) (2001). Gaza Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection and Management Plan. Palestine Wildlife Society (2010). Wadi Gaza Region. http://www.wildlife-pal.org/wadi_gaza_region.htm UNICEF (2006). Gaza Fact Sheet. Report on current situation of Gaza. 6 July 2006. http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.nsf/eed216406b50bf6485256ce10072f637/155fff7042b9d97b852571c500490734?OpenDocument Wetlands International. http://www.wetlands.org/ Wikipedia. List of birds of Palestine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Palestine Wikipedia. Water bird. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_bird الدليل الحقلي لطيور الشرق األوسط ... الصيد بالمراقبة .http://www.spnl.org/arabic/archives/96