Seasonal Diversity and Population Status of Waterbirds In Khore Mosa

The research was conducted in Khore Mosa Ramsar site in the Persian Gulf from April to September 2013. Total Count Method was used to obtain the census of the nests, breeding population ofwaterbirds on the islands and number of birds in Khore Mosa Creek. Maximum 9493 individuals were recorded belonging to 52 species, of which 10 species were breeders. The maximum breeding population of Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis , Swift Tern sterna bergii , Caspian Tern Sterna caspia , Bridled Ternsterna anaethetus , Western Reef Heron Egrettagularis and Crab Plover Dromasardeola were 321, 43, 2, 954, 24 and 8765 pairs, respectively. The number of breeding population on the Islands of KhoreMosa was low in comparison with breeding population of birds from this group observed in 2012.One globallythreatened and 8Protected species were recorded namely, Dalmatian Pelican Pelicanuscrispus (VU), eight species of Ardeidae protectedin Iran. The KhoreMosa have been identified as an "important bird area" (as a part of Shadeghan marsh Ramsar Site) by Birdlife International proposed for protection as a part of the wildlife refuge of Shadeghanmarsh and suggested for to be classified as sensitive habitat for breeding seabirds.