The Status of Diurnal Birds of Prey in Turkey
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j. RaptorRes. 39(1):36-54 ¸ 2005 The Raptor ResearchFoundation, Inc. THE STATUS OF DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY IN TURKEY LEVENT TURAN 1 HacettepeUniversity, Faculty of Education, Department of BiologyEducation, 06532 Beytepe,Ankara, Turkey ABSTRACT.--Here,I summarize the current statusof diurnal birds of prey in Turkey This review was basedon field surveysconducted in 2001 and 2002, and a literature review.I completed661 field surveys in different regionsof Turkey in 2001 and 2002. I recorded37 speciesof diurnal raptors,among the 40 speciesknown in the country In addition, someadverse factors such as habitat loss, poisoning, killing, capturingor disturbingraptors, and damagingtheir eggswere seen during observations. KEYWORDS: EasternEurope,, population status; threats;, Turkey. ESTATUSDE LASAVES DE PRESADIURNAS EN TURQUiA RESUMEN.--Aquiresumo el estatusactual de las avesde presa diurnas en Turquia. Esta revisi6nest2 basadaen muestreosde campo conducidosen 2001 y 2002, yen una revisi6nde la literatura. Complet• 661 muestreosde campo en diferentesregiones de Turquia en 2001 y 2002. Registr• 37 especiesde rapacesdiurnas del total de 40 especiesconocidas para el pals. Ademfis,registra algunos factores ad- versoscomo p•rdida de hfibitat, envenenamiento,matanzas, captura o disturbiode rapacesy dafio de sus huevos durante las observaciones. [Traducci6n del equipo editorial] Turkey, with approximately454 bird species,has servations of diurnal raptors collected during a relatively rich avian diversity in Europe. Despite 2001-02 from locationsthroughout Turkey. recognized importance of the country in support- METHODS ing a significantbiodiversity, mapping of the avi- fauna has not occurred and there are few data on Turkey is divided into sevengeographical regions (Fig. the statusof birds in Turkey. 1; Erol et al. 1982) characterizedby variable landscape types,climate differences,and a rich diversityof fauna Among the birds of Turkey are included 40 di- Field data were obtained from surveysconducted in all urnal birds of prey and 10 owls. For Europe and areas of Turkey between 1 January 2001-31 December the Middle East, Forsman (1998) lists 42 raptors, 2002. Many observationswere based on a combination Glutz et al. (1987) list 41, and Gensbol (1986) lists of the field surveysand data from birdwatchersand oth- ers (Toygar 2001, 2002). The remaining observations 46 species. Weick (1980) and Kiziroglu et al. were gathered from the trip reports of visitingornithol- (1993) reported 39 diurnal raptors in Turkey. This ogistsin Turkey (Balmer and Betton 2001, Comaset al. was increased to 40 with the addition of the Bar- 2001, Dyczkowski2001, Merril 2001, Swann2001, Balmer bary Falcon (Falcopelegrinoides; Kirwan et al. 1998). and Betton 2002, Eriksen and Eriksen 2002, Giannatos, 2002, Klim 2002). However, the number of the studieson raptors in The methodologyused was derived from standardized Turkey is minimal and little is known about their bird-surveytechniques (Bibby et al. 1998), and from tran- distribution.Kumerloeve (1970) provided the first sect counts (Bibby et al. 2000). Daily surveyswere con- significant contribution on the status and distri- ducted in the middle of the day from 0900-1300 H at 134 selectedlocalities within 43 of 81 provincesin 2001, bution of raptors in Turkey. The initial focus of and 197 localitieswithin 54 provincesin 2002. Observa- research on raptors in Turkey was migration. Al- tion grids were used to evaluateall observationsand rec- though the number of studies in eastern Europe ords (Fig. 1; Appendix). examining birds have increasedrecently, there are During the observations,162 line transectswere used still little data and information available on the size to assessnonbreeding raptor populations over extensive areas. The mean distance of transects was 5098 m. Most of raptor populationsand their conservation. of the observationswere made by teamsof one to three Here, I present a summary of species-specificob- observers,often one person to verify identificationand one person to record data. Also, 499 spot counts were made and evaluated to assessthe populationsof some 1 Email address:[email protected] raptor species.The mean spotcounts per surveywas 1.47. 36 MARCH 2005 STATUS OF DIURNAL RAPTORS IN TURKEY 37 1 2 3 • 5 6 ? 8 9 10 1! 12 13 lb • 16 17 18 19 Figure 1. Geographicalregions of Turkey and observationgrids used in evaluationand surveysin 2001 and 2002. Spot countswere conductedduring selectedstops at lo- bul (Marmara region) on 2001. It wasalso seen 15 cationswith a good view.A singleobserver systematically times during surveys between April-November scannedthe skyfor 5 rain and counted all raptorsvisible with the naked eye. The coordinatesof spot countswere 2002, but none were recorded in July. recorded with a Global PositioningReceiver System and BlackKite (Milvus migrans).This resident raptor binoculars were used to aid in the identification of the species was seen on 16 surveys, during all the species. Definitions used to describe the status of birds in Tur- months of 2001 with the exception of February. key are as follows (Weaver 1981, Kiziroglu 1989): One unexpected observation occurred in south- east Anatolia (Gaziantep Province), registered in Resident.A bird that is present all year and breeds regu- larly. December and involved 400 individuals (Demircan Summervisitor. A bird that usesa particulararea for breed- 2001). In 2002, Black Kite was observed 17 times ing only and is not present outsidethe breeding season. between April-September, with no records noted Wintervisitor. A bird that visitsa particular area only dur- in July. According to Clark (1999) Black Kites are ing the winter and doesnot occur there during its breed- ing period. local summer breeders throughout most of Eu- Migrant A bird that occursirregularly and may be seen rope. Most Black Kites leave Europe for winter, but on migration, sometimesin great numbers. some stay in Turkey and in the Middle East. Vagrant.A bird for which there are only one or a few White-tailedEagle ( Haliaeetusalbicilla). Fairly com- records a year in Turkey. mon resident and winter visitor, the White-tailed RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Eagle wasrecorded five times during 5 mo in 2001 Assistantsand I recorded diurnal raptors at 134 and eight times in January, April, May, and Decem- sites during 324 observation periods in the year ber in 2002. White-tailed Eaglesin Turkey are from 2001, and 197 sitesduring 416 observationsin the the southeasternEuropean population. The indi- year 2002. The data collected during 2001 and viduals of this population were smaller and have 2002 were compatible with each other to a great lighter-colored heads. They mostly reside in Cau- extent in terms of effort and number of raptors casus,Greece, and in parts of Bulgaria. In Turkey, recorded. Observations of the individual species this speciesgenerally lives near inland seas,where- were as follows: as in northern Europe, this bird occurs in coastal Most Frequently Observed Raptors. European plains. The population in Turkey was estimatedat Honey-buzzard(Pernis apivorus). The honey buzzard no more than 100 pairs (Vaassen2001). Most of is a summer visitor and migrant. It wasseen during the individualsof this specieshave short migratory 15 surveysbetween March-September 2001, in- ranges. cluding one observationof 550 migrants in Istan- Egyptian Vulture (Neophronpercnopterus). The 38 TUP,AN VOI.. 39, NO. 1 Egyptian Vulture is one of the four vulture species observed only on five occasionsin September that is widespreadin Turkey. A summervisitor and 2002. rare transient,the EgyptianVulture wasseen on 13 CommonBuzzard (Buteo buteo).A common, wide- surveys every month between March-September spread resident and migrant, the Common Buz- 2001 and 19 times between March-September zard wasthe secondmost frequently recorded rap- 2002, with the exception of August. tor (100 observations)in 2001. During one survey CinereousVulture (Aegypius monachus). This resi- in September 2001, 640 migrants were recorded. dent raptor speciesis the largest bird of prey in The CommonBuzzard was the mostcommonly-ob- Turkey. It was observed 10 times during 4 mo be- servedraptor species(N = 121) in 2002. tween March-October in 2001. It was seen six Long-leggedBuzzard (Buteo rufinus). A very com- times between February-November 2002, with the mon resident and abundant winter visitor, the exception of May,July, and August. Long-legged Buzzard was generally seen in semi- Short-toedSnake-Eagle ( Circaetus gallicus). An abun- arid and mountainous areas. It was the most fre- dant summer visitor and migrant species, the quently recorded raptor species(N = 109) in 2001, Short-toed Snake-Eaglewas seen on 23 occasions and the secondmost frequently recorded raptor and during every month between February-Octo- (N = 115) in 2002. ber 2001. During two surveysin September,25 and LesserSpotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina). The Lesser 34 migrantswere recorded.Also, 39 migrantswere Spotted Eagle is a common migrant and scarce recorded during one surveyin October 2001. This summer visitor of forests with bordering plains raptor was recorded 27 times betweenMarch-No- throughout Turkey. It was recorded on 22 occa- vember 2002, with the exception of July. sionsin 9 mo. In 2001, 3424 migrantswere record- WesternMarsh Harrier (Circusaeruginosus). This ed during one surveyin September and 130 mi- raptor is the most abundantharrier in Turkey.The grants during a surveyin October. It wasalso seen Marsh Harrier is a resident, partial migrant, and