Abu Dhabi, Sept.13th,2007 (WAM) --The Environment Agency?AbuDhabi (EAD) has conducted an extensive breeding assessment forOspreys in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

A total of around 61 sites, all known and potential breedingsites on islands and along the Emirate?s coast, have been surveyed.

This is the first such recent comprehensive survey on the breedingstatus of the Osprey.

At EAD, such surveys are carried out to better understandthe breeding status of such a nationally and regionally importantspecies as the Osprey. The survey results also serve as an indicatorof the health and well-being of a key ecosystem. In addition,EAD regularly monitors breeding birds and uses satellite trackingto understand the species more.

This year?s survey demonstrated that, compared to 1994 estimates,Abu Dhabi Osprey numbers are relatively stable. However, sitessuch as Yasat islands, Ghagah and Faziya, once key sites forbreeding Ospreys, have lost more than 50% of the Osprey nestsover a decade.

EAD experts indicate that this loss may be as a result of disturbancefrom development and continuous human presence, particularlyduring the nesting season. Moreover, experts highlight that thesethreats may have forced the Ospreys to abandon nesting at suchsites.

EAD recorded 61 breeding pairs and 138 adult birds from the surveyedsites. Approximately 70 breeding Ospreys are estimated to bepresent, mainly on the Emirate?s islands. The study also uncoveredthat the majority of the Osprey nests had been built naturallyby the Ospreys themselves, however nearly 26% of the nests wereon artificial nesting platforms, set up by island inhabitants.

?We call for cooperation in the protection of the Emirate?sislands from any form of disturbance, particularly west of AbuDhabi, as most of the breeding ospreys were recorded on islands.

Sites such as Muhayyamat island complex, Gerain Al Aish, Al Bazm,Umm Amim, Butinah, Faziya and Umm Hatab are particularly importantfor breeding ospreys in Abu Dhabi. By maintaining healthy breedingnumbers of Ospreys, it will support Abu Dhabi?s ventures intonature-based tourism,? said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary Generalof EAD.

Facts About the Osprey? Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is locally known as Nisr Al Baharor Aqab Assamak.

? Osprey nests on isolated and undisturbed islands and on disturbance-freecoast.

? Osprey is a common breeding species in the Red Sea, the ArabianGulf and the Gulf of Oman.

? In the Arabian Gulf, important breeding populations are foundin Bahrain, western islands of the UAE and Musandam, Oman.

? The UAE is home to about 20% of the non-breeding populationof Osprey in the entire Middle East.

? Abu Dhabi Osprey numbers are nationally important as 61 breedingpairs in the Emirate is more than 90% of the entire UAE population,estimated to be around 65 pairs in 1994.

? The Osprey has evolved particular physical characteristicsto assist in hunting and catching its prey.

? The Osprey has had an airplane named after it!