Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information This is the only known nesting site in Panama for Sooty Tern (3000 pairs), Bridled Tern (50 pairs) and Brown Noddy (50 pairs). The site is estimated to contain more than 1% of the global population of Bridled Tern. The terns may not breed here on an annual basis, since although many were present in February 1956 and some in March 1962, none were seen in February 1957 (Wetmore 1965, Olson 1997). Peregrine Falcon also occurs.

Site description The Frailes del Sure are two small precipitous rocky islets seven km off the south coast of the Azuero Peninsula near Venado Beach. The larger is about 200 m long. The islets have little vegetation. Sea conditions and the steep cliffs make landing difficult.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity None known.

Management considerations The islets are too small, remote and exposed to be suitable for a fishing camp or other use. There is little tradition of exploitation of seabird colonies in Panama, and there are no known threats.

Protection status The site is unprotected. The islands could be given legal protection by a slight extension of the seaward limits of the Cañas Island Wildlife Refuge.

Conservation response None known.

References Angehr, George R. 2003. Directorio de areas importantes para aves en Panama. Directory of important bird areas in Panama. Panama: Sociedad Audubon de Panama. Angehr, George R. and James A. Kushlan. Seabird and colonial wadingbird nesting in the Gulf of Panama. Submitted to Waterbirds.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Frailes del Sur Islands. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

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