Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) population trends in Hawar, Bahrain 1998–2023

The Hawar Islands, located near Bahrain, were designated a Ramsar Site in 1997, and a survey of Sooty Falcons (Falco concolor) began in 1998, documenting 15 breeding pairs. By 2006, numbers had declined to 10 pairs, with chick ringing efforts conducted to monitor the population. After a 15-year gap, surveys resumed in 2021 and 2023, identifying only 6 occupied nests in 2021 and a possible 5–7 pairs in 2023. The breeding season occurs in August, coinciding with extreme heat and the arrival of migratory birds, which serve as prey. Despite abundant nesting sites, Sooty Falcon numbers have declined, possibly due to changes in prey availability rather than human disturbance. Observations suggest a connection between Hawar and Oman populations, evidenced by a recovered ringed bird from Oman. Urgent conservation efforts, including better funding, advanced technology, and further ecological studies, are necessary to ensure the species’ survival on Hawar.