The status of the Fuerteventura Stonechat Saxicola dacotiae: A new evaluation using distance sampling and GIS

Abstract

The status of the 'Endangered' Fuerteventura Stonechat Saxicola dacotiae, a western Palearctic single island endemic, was assessed 22 years after the first population estimate of 1, 300-1, 700 individuals was made by Bibby and Hill (1987). Using GIS and Distance Sampling methodologies, the population on Fuerteventura in 2008 was estimated at 1, 035 birds (832-1, 287) with the species more abundant on hillsides than in gullies. Within the island's three main massifs (i.e. north, west and south) the highest encounter rate was recorded in the northern massif. This study supports the category of 'Endangered' for this species, which does face the obvious threat from development, particularly in the south of the island. The species is also on the endangered list nationally (Spain) and in Europe but has not as yet been evaluated by the Canarian Government. I suggest, based on results of this study, that serious effort should be put in to improving knowledge of the distribution range of this endemic (either by modelling or by systematic visits to sites). An official monitoring programme should be developed and implemented with special attention paid to the three main mountain ranges of this island and particularly to the southern massif which is suffering the highest rate of habitat loss. © 2009 BirdLife International.