Professional Survey of Nesting Waterbirds and Conservation Threats at Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, Yobe State

This study professionally surveys nesting waterbird colonies and identifies conservation threats at the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands in Yobe State, located in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. The Hadejia-Nguru system is a Ramsar-designated wetland of international importance, yet its waterbird nesting populations are inadequately monitored and the complex array of threats including upstream dam operation, agricultural drainage, and climate-driven rainfall reduction have not been formally assessed against current bird population data. Aerial and boat-based waterbird colony surveys were conducted at the onset of, during, and at the end of the 2023 breeding season. Supplementary ground surveys were conducted at 12 accessible colony sites. A total of 18 waterbird species were confirmed as nesting, including great white pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, yellow-billed stork Mycteria ibis, black-crowned night heron, and several egret species. Total breeding pairs were estimated at approximately 11,400. Nest success was assessed at five monitored colonies and averaged 54 percent, reduced by human disturbance at three sites adjacent to farming activity. Hydrological assessment confirmed that water levels at peak nesting in 2023 were 30 percent lower than historical wet season averages, attributed to Tiga and Challawa dam operation. The study delivers a professional conservation assessment recommending Ramsar management plan revision, water allocation protocol reform for Hadejia-Nguru, and establishment of permanent colony monitoring. Keywords: waterbirds, Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, nesting survey, Yobe State, Ramsar.