Population size and diet of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Tehran and Golestan Provinces

The Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818 (Falconidae) is a migratory raptor in Iran. Using Point Count method, the population of Lesser Kestrels was estimated about 256 individuals in the surveyed areas of Tehran and Golestan provinces in the spring of 2006– 2007. The population was consisted of 6 subpopulations namely 12 individuals in Niavaran, 14 around Latian Dam (Tehran), 35 around Kalaleh (Golestan), 70 in Gomishan (Golestan), 50 in Bandar Turkmen (Golestan) and 18 in Khajeh Nafas (Golestan). After nest-finding, a batch of 239 and 118 pellets were collected from roost sites around Latian Dam (Tehran Province) and Bandar Turkmen (Golestan Province) respectively. Each pellet was soaked in 95% alcohol and then teased apart using a pair of forceps and a needle. Animal remains were classified into some categories such as Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Formicidae, Aves and Rodentia. The frequency of each category was calculated. Analysis of the collected pellets revealed that in Latian Orthoptera, Coleoptea and Formicidae were present in 2%, 21% and 9% of the pellets respectively while in Bandar Turkmen they were in 71%, 31% and 4% of pellets respectively. Rodent and shrew remains were present in 18.8% of the Latian pellets of which Meriones sp. (49%) was the most important item followed by field mice Apodemus (21%), Microtus sp. (11%), Soricidae (9%), hamster Calomyscus sp. (4%), and grey hamster Cricetulus migratorius, Mus sp. and Crocidura sp. (each of them 2%). Bandar Turkmen pellets also included Bivalvia and Gastropoda (5%), Mammalia (4%), Aves (3%), Reptilia and Amphibia (3%), Chriroptera (1%) and Dermaptera (1%).