@article{42847f50cbc44f8ea192922df6abaa9b,
title = "Island accessibility and distance from beach influence nesting success of Sooty Falcons Falco concolor in Oman",
abstract = "Colonial island-breeding birds can be particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance, which can adversely affect their nesting success. We studied Sooty Falcons Falco concolor breeding on 10 ground-predator-free islands in the Sea of Oman during 2007–2014 and evaluated spatio-temporal trends in the number of breeding pairs occurring on the islands and the factors influencing nesting success. The number of breeding pairs on the islands declined during the study, due mostly to the decline on accessible islands; the rate of decline on islands accessible to humans was double that on inaccessible ones. The number of nests with one or more eggs declined during the study period, and the percentage of nests with eggs that produced one or more chicks showed an increasing trend over time. Sooty Falcon nests located farther away from beaches experienced a significantly higher probability of nesting success than those located closer to beaches. Our results suggest that the number of breeding Sooty Falcons on the islands of northern Oman is declining and that human disturbance may be a contributing factor; this probably mirrors the situation in other parts of the breeding range of this species.",
keywords = "breeding pairs, human disturbance, island area, nest failure, reproductive success",
author = "Mcgrady, {Michael J.} and {Al Fazari}, Waheed and {Al Jahdhami}, Mansoor and Martin Fisher and Kwarteng, {Andy Y.} and Hartmut Walter and Oli, {Madan K.}",
note = "Funding Information: (OCE), Natural Research, Ltd, UK, Petroleum Development Oman and the Environment Society of Oman. In-kind and logistical support was provided by the Royal Yachts of Royal Court Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) and Arid Lands. Research permits were kindly provided by MECA and permission to land on Fahal Island by the Royal Oman Police. We would particularly like to thank the captains and crew of the Al Noores and the MECA rangers for their hospitality and logistical support. M. Al Balushi, A. Al Owisi, Q. Al Rawahi and Z. Abdusalaam were regular assistants to the work on the islands. We would also like to thank Y. Al Salami, A. Spalton, N. Al Sharji, A. Al Amri, A. Al Raisi, J. Knapp, A. Al Kyumi, F. Al Lamki, P. McGrady, A. Thorpe and N. Williams. The help provided by S. Al Sayabi of the Royal Yachts was vital to the success of the work. The work was performed in accordance with the laws of the Sultanate of Oman. All applicable international, national and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. We thank D. Chamberlain, K. Burnham, M. Amezian and an anonymous referee for many helpful suggestions. Funding Information: Financial support was provided by the Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 British Ornithologists{\textquoteright} Union",
year = "2019",
month = jan,
doi = "10.1111/ibi.12601",
language = "English",
volume = "161",
pages = "162--171",
journal = "Ibis",
issn = "0019-1019",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
number = "1",
}