DOCSLIB.ORG

An Overview of Monitoring for Raptors in Bulgaria Pregled Monitoringa Populacij Ptic Roparic V Bolgariji

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Overview of Monitoring for Raptors in Bulgaria Pregled Monitoringa Populacij Ptic Roparic V Bolgariji Acrocephalus 33 (154/155): 181−189, 2012 10.2478/v10100-012-0005-9 An overview of monitoring for raptors in Bulgaria Pregled monitoringa populacij ptic roparic v Bolgariji Svetoslav Spasov, Volen Arkumarev, Dobromir Dobrev & Vladimir Dobrev Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Bulgaria, P.O. Box 50, BG–1111 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: [email protected] Since 1990, nature conservation NGOs are the main players in the running of nation-wide research and monitoring schemes for raptors in Bulgaria. Among them, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and Green Balkans are most active, covering the most threatened diurnal raptors in the country. The key species covered by comprehensive monitoring schemes are the Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus, Black Vulture Aegypius monachus, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug and Red-footed Falcon F. vespertinus. Information on their distribution, numbers, breeding success, productivity, diet, movements etc. is gathered on annual basis. The Buzzard Buteo buteo and Kestrel F. tinnunculus are also regularly monitored at the national level by the Common Bird Monitoring scheme. Distribution of all raptor species has been studied for the purpose of the Atlas of Breeding Birds in Bulgaria. The contemporary satellite telemetry methods revealed important aspects of movements and threats to eagles and vultures from Bulgaria within the country and abroad. Main threats for the raptors in Bulgaria are related to habitat loss, unnatural mortality and disturbance. The main gaps in raptor monitoring in Bulgaria are related to the lack of coverage of most of the diurnal species and owls. There is a strong national and international cooperation in conjunction with the work concerning Imperial Eagle, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures. However, further enhancement of cooperation on other raptor species and issues such as lobbying for implementation of raptor-friendly agricultural practices and enhancement of various economic sectors are needed. Key words: raptors, monitoring, BSPB, Bulgaria Ključne besede: ptice roparice, monitoring, BSPB, Bolgarija 1. Introduction 1980s, when supplementary feeding sites, maintained by BSPB, were established (Dobrev et al. 2013). So far, 37 diurnal birds of prey have been registered in This consequently resulted in the increase of Griffon Bulgaria, 23 of which breed here regularly (BUNARCO Vultures’ Gyps fulvus population in the Eastern 2009). The interest in raptor species of birds has Rhodopes (Iankov & Profirov 1991, Demerdzhiev always inspired many scientists and conservationists et al. in prep.). Later on, at the beginning of the in Bulgaria (Angelov 2009). For the 1950–2008 1990s, the BSPB established a regular monitoring of period, more than 120 publications dedicated to the all raptor species inhabiting the Eastern Rhodopes research of raptor species can be found in Bulgarian with the support of the Bulgarian–Swiss Biodiversity literature (Mirkov 2009). Till the 1980s, most of the Conservation Programme (Hristov 2000). In recent surveys had been done without planning actions for years, the raptors research techniques and projects the establishment of a long term conservation strategy. in Bulgaria have gone far beyond the faunistic and The first targeted conservation activities were carried purely descriptive studies. New surveys and studies out in Eastern Rhodopes in the beginning of the have been introduced, using modern methods such 181 S. Spasov, V. Arkumarev, D. Dobrev & V. Dobrev: An overview of monitoring for raptors in Bulgaria as satellite tracking, ecological surveys, habitat has established contacts and work actively with several selection research, etc. This involved a great deal of African countries in the conservation of migrating international cooperation, which eventually brought raptors such as Egyptian Vulture and Imperial Eagle. new knowledge and information on many aspects of (Arkumarev et al. 2012, Dobrev et al 2012). the raptors’ ecology and conservation requirements Data collected as part of the monitoring schemes (BSPB 2010 & 2011, Demerdzhiev 2011, Dobrev et and research in various raptor species is used mainly al. 2013, Demerdzhiev et al. in prep.). by NGOs and private companies in environmental impact assessments of investment proposals within 2. Main players Natura 2000 sites or other areas with importance for birds of prey. State authorities have occasionally The Executive Environment Agency (within the requested some data on distribution and number Ministry of Environment and Water) is the state of some birds of prey, but the usage of the available authority responsible for biodiversity monitoring information is scanty. in Bulgaria. The Agency has recently established the National Biodiversity Monitoring System specified 3. National coverage in the Biodiversity Act. However, there is limited capacity among state organizations to implement The BSPB considers seven diurnal raptor species as comprehensive monitoring schemes due to the priority species for monitoring and they are covered small number of experienced fieldworkers and lack at the national level by comprehensive monitoring of suitable funding. At the moment, only National schemes (BSPB 2010 & 2011). There is also a Common Parks directorates are providing some data on selected Bird Monitoring scheme that operates at the national species, but these cover only the park’s territories. level, covering over 100 study plots across the country. The Bulgarian Academy of Science used to play an It provides data for the two most common raptors, important role in the autumn migration monitoring i.e. Buzzard Buteo buteo and Kestrel Falco tinnunculus and studies (Michev & Simeonov 1981). In 1990, (Spasov 2008, Hristov 2011). this activity was virtually taken over by NGOs and Information on the rest of the breeding raptors is private consultancies dealing with Environmental sporadic and localised. The monitoring of migrating Impact Assessments. birds is concentrated mainly in the eastern part of the The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds county, along the Black Sea where the Via Pontica bird (BSPB), the BirdLife International’s partner in migration route is situated. It covers the majority of Bulgaria, is the main organization implementing soaring birds, most of which are raptors (Profirov nation-wide raptor monitoring schemes and research. 1987, Michev et al. 2011). Autumn migration studies Its activities cover the most threatened priority species cover all raptors species passing over the migration and some widespread birds of prey. watchpoints. For some regions, such as the Burgas Three other nature conservation NGOs, the Green area, there is a long-term set of data for migrating Balkans, Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (FWFF) birds of prey (BSPB 2005). and Birds of Prey Protection Society (BPPS), are also The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Bulgaria covers all implementing regional or local monitoring schemes, breeding or possibly breeding raptor species. It was mostly focused on captive bred Griffon Vultures published in 2008 and is foreseen to be updated every that have been introduced to areas away from their 10 years (Iankov 2007). native population in the Eastern Rhodopes as part of The wintering raptor populations have been restocking programme in Bulgaria (Green Balkans studied for a couple of years, but only the lowland 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2010, Stoynov & Peshev 2011, part (up to 600 m a.s.l.) of Bulgaria has been covered 2012 & 2013). (Nikolov et al. 2006). All raptors are recorded during The BSPB has developed active contacts and the International Waterbird Census (IWC) that takes cooperation with several countries, mostly with place every year in January. This monitoring scheme BirdLife International local partners. The main has been implemented for more than 20 years and has foreign partners are RSPB, MME/BirdLife Hungary, good number of records on raptors wintering near all Doğa Dernegi (BirdLife Partner Designate in Turkey), large wetlands and rivers (over 200; Kostadinova & Hellenic Ornithological Society (BirdLife partner Dereliev 2001). in Greece), WWF Greece, Macedonian Ecological There are regional studies of some owl species Society (MES) and Protection and Preservation of as well, but they are not covered by comprehensive Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA). BSPB monitoring activities (e.g. Shurulinkov & Stoyanov 182 Acrocephalus 33 (154/155): 181−189, 2012 2006, Shurulinkov et al. 2007). minimum with less than 80 pairs in the Balkans Monitoring schemes implemented by BSPB are (Velevski et al. in prep.). well coordinated. There is certain cooperation and The Griffon Vulture population is increasing exchange of information between the BSPB and rapidly with more than 100% population increase in other NGOs, but no coordination between all players the last 10 years. The apparent increase is a result of at the national level has been established as yet. In the improved carrying capacity of the environment order to facilitate the BSPBs network of researchers and the hard efforts of several NGOs working in and fieldworkers scattered across the country, a new the Eastern Rhodopes as well (Demerdzhiev et on-line GIS database has been established. It can be al. in prep.). The first releases under the restocking accessed only by staff members and expert fieldworkers, programme for the species outside the Rhodopes were but there is a website
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Turkey Birding Eastern Anatolia Th Th 10 June to 20 June 2021 (11 Days)
    Turkey Birding Eastern Anatolia th th 10 June to 20 June 2021 (11 days) Caspian Snowcock by Alihan Vergiliel Turkey, a country the size of Texas, is a spectacular avian and cultural crossroads. This fascinating nation boasts an ancient history, from even before centuries of Greek Roman and Byzantine domination, through the 500-year Ottoman Empire and into the modern era. Needless to say, with such a pedigree the country holds some very impressive archaeological and cultural sites. Our tour of Eastern Turkey starts in the eastern city of Van, formerly known as Tuspa and 3,000 years ago the capital city of the Urartians. Today there are historical structures from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, and Urartian artifacts can be seen at its archaeological museum. RBL Turkey Itinerary 2 However, it is the birds that are of primary interest to us as here, at the eastern limits of the Western Palearctic, we expect to find some very special and seldom-seen species, including Mountain ‘Caucasian’ Chiffchaff, Green Warbler, Mongolian Finch and Grey-headed Bunting. Around the shores of Lake Van we will seek out Moustached and Paddyfield Warblers in the dense reed beds, while on the lake itself, our targets include Marbled Teal, the threatened White-headed Duck, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant and Armenian Gull, plus a selection of waders that may include Terek and Broad-billed Sandpiper. As we move further north-east into the steppe and semi desert areas, we will attempt to find Great Bustards and Demoiselle Cranes, with a potential supporting cast of Montagu’s Harrier, Steppe Eagle, the exquisite Citrine Wagtail and Twite, to name but a few.
    [Show full text]
  • A Multi-Gene Phylogeny of Aquiline Eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) Reveals Extensive Paraphyly at the Genus Level
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com MOLECULAR SCIENCE•NCE /W\/Q^DIRI DIRECT® PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION ELSEVIER Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 35 (2005) 147-164 www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev A multi-gene phylogeny of aquiline eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) reveals extensive paraphyly at the genus level Andreas J. Helbig'^*, Annett Kocum'^, Ingrid Seibold^, Michael J. Braun^ '^ Institute of Zoology, University of Greifswald, Vogelwarte Hiddensee, D-18565 Kloster, Germany Department of Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 4210 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746, USA Received 19 March 2004; revised 21 September 2004 Available online 24 December 2004 Abstract The phylogeny of the tribe Aquilini (eagles with fully feathered tarsi) was investigated using 4.2 kb of DNA sequence of one mito- chondrial (cyt b) and three nuclear loci (RAG-1 coding region, LDH intron 3, and adenylate-kinase intron 5). Phylogenetic signal was highly congruent and complementary between mtDNA and nuclear genes. In addition to single-nucleotide variation, shared deletions in nuclear introns supported one basal and two peripheral clades within the Aquilini. Monophyly of the Aquilini relative to other birds of prey was confirmed. However, all polytypic genera within the tribe, Spizaetus, Aquila, Hieraaetus, turned out to be non-monophyletic. Old World Spizaetus and Stephanoaetus together appear to be the sister group of the rest of the Aquilini. Spiza- stur melanoleucus and Oroaetus isidori axe nested among the New World Spizaetus species and should be merged with that genus. The Old World 'Spizaetus' species should be assigned to the genus Nisaetus (Hodgson, 1836). The sister species of the two spotted eagles (Aquila clanga and Aquila pomarina) is the African Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis).
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an Annotated Checklist
    European Journal of Taxonomy 306: 1–69 ISSN 2118-9773 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.306 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2017 · Gedeon K. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A32EAE51-9051-458A-81DD-8EA921901CDC The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist Kai GEDEON 1,*, Chemere ZEWDIE 2 & Till TÖPFER 3 1 Saxon Ornithologists’ Society, P.O. Box 1129, 09331 Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. 2 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, P.O. Box 1075, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. 3 Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F46B3F50-41E2-4629-9951-778F69A5BBA2 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F59FEDB3-627A-4D52-A6CB-4F26846C0FC5 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A87BE9B4-8FC6-4E11-8DB4-BDBB3CFBBEAA Abstract. Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome.
    [Show full text]
  • Age Estimation of Black Stork (Ciconia Nigra) Nestlings from Wing, Bill, Head, and Tarsus Lengths at the Time of Ringing
    Turkish Journal of Zoology Turk J Zool (2018) 42: 132-136 http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/ © TÜBİTAK Short Communication doi:10.3906/zoo-1702-42 Age estimation of black stork (Ciconia nigra) nestlings from wing, bill, head, and tarsus lengths at the time of ringing 1 1 1 2 1, Maciej KAMIŃSKI , Bartosz JANIC , Lidia MARSZAŁ , Jerzy BAŃBURA , Piotr ZIELIŃSKI * 1 Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland 2 Department of Experimental Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland Received: 20.02.2017 Accepted/Published Online: 11.09.2017 Final Version: 10.01.2018 Abstract: Black stork nestlings were measured (wing, bill, head, and tarsus lengths) at weekly intervals in central Poland in 2012, 2014, and 2015. The aim of the study was to provide growth equations based on nestling measurements to allow age estimation of black stork nestlings. The hatching hour and date of nestlings in five nests were determined using trail cameras. The age of the measured nestlings ranged from 18 to 53 days. Wing, bill, and head lengths showed linear growth, while tarsus growth was only linear for nestlings not exceeding 35 days old. Within the age range studied, wing length grew 9.6 mm per day, head length grew 2.3 mm per day, and bill length grew 1.8 mm per day. The study provides the first growth parameters for the black stork. Key words: Breeding ecology, growth formulas, ringing, biometrics, storks, trail cameras Compared to the white stork (Ciconia ciconia), the 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Ecology of Palearctic Birds of Prey Wintering in West and Central Africa
    Meyburg, B.-U. & R. D. Chancellor eds. 1989 Raptors in the Modern World WWGBP: Berlin, London & Paris Distribution and Ecology oF Palearctic Birds oF Prey Wintering in West and Central AFrica J.-M. Thiollay ABSTRACT The abundance, seasonal distribution, habitat and ecological requirements oF 21 Falconiforms, migrants from western to far eastern Europe or North-West AFrica and wintering south oF the Sahara, from Mauritania to Gabon and Tchad, are summarised. The inFluence oF drought, over- grazing, deForestation, heavy use oF pesticides and other changes oF their wintering conditions during the last two decades is analysed and compared to their known situation in European breed- ing grounds. The most aFFected species are the two harriers (Montagu's and Pallid) and the two gregarious small falcons (Red-Footed and Lesser Kestrel) which are mostly dependent upon the concentrations oF locust s in the Sahelian savannas. The ecological segregation and lack oF signiFi- cant competition with AFrican resident species are also emphasised. INTRODUCTION Palearctic raptors are well-known on their European breeding grounds. Many studies have attempted to monitor their migration through the Mediterranean area, but their crossing oF the Sahara and distribution on AFro-tropical wintering grounds are still poorly documented. The importance oF adult and immature survival rates outside the breeding season on the dynamic of long-lived species and the decrease oF some migrants, not fully explained by the deterioration of their breeding conditions, strongly emphasise the need to study the distribution, ecology and mortality rates oF these migrants on their wintering grounds and during their migration, at least south oF the Mediterranean.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproduction and Behaviour of the Long-Legged Buzzard (.Buteo Rufinus) in North-Eastern Greece
    © Deutschen Ornithologen-Gesellschaft und Partner; download www.do-g.de; www.zobodat.at Die Vogelwarte 39, 1998: 176-182 Reproduction and behaviour of the Long-legged Buzzard (.Buteo rufinus) in North-eastern Greece By Haralambos Alivizatos, Vassilis Goutner and Michael G. Karandinos Abstract: Alivizatos , H., V. Goutner & M. G. Karandinos (1998): Reproduction and behaviour of the Long- legged Buzzard ( Buteo rufinus) in North-eastern Greece. Vogelwarte 39: 176-182. The breeding biology of the Long-legged Buzzard ( Buteo rufinus) was studied in the Evros area, north-eastern Greece in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993. The mean number of young fledged per pair per year was similar between years with an overall average of 0.93 (1.58 per successful pair). Of ten home range variables examined, the num­ ber of alternative nest sites and the extent of forest free areas in home ranges were significant predictors of nest­ ling productivity. Aggressive interactions were observed with 18 bird species (of which 12 were raptors), most commonly with the Buzzard {Buteo buteo). Such interactions declined during the course of the season. Prey pro­ visioning to nestlings was greatest in the morning and late in the afternoon declining in the intermediate period. Key words: Buteo rufinus, reproduction, behaviour, Greece. Addresses: Zaliki 4, GR-115 24 Athens, Greece (H. A.); Department of Zoology, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, GR-54006, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece (V. G.); Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens 75 Iera Odos 1 1855 Athens, Greece (M. G. K.). 1. Introduction The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a little known raptor of Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring Migration of Soaring Birds Over the Bosphorus, Turkey, in 2006
    Spring migration of soaring birds over the Bosphorus, Turkey, in 2006 ÖzkAN ÜNER, kEREM ALi BoyLA, ERGÜN BAcAk, ERTuğRuL BiREL, İLhAN ÇELikoBA, CEM DALYAN, EVRIM TABUR & ÜMIT YARDIM The Bosphorus is one of the most important migration bottlenecks in the Middle East. However, most counts have been done during autumn and complete spring counts are very few. In spring 2006, a complete count of migrating soaring birds over the Bosphorus was carried out. We report a total of 100 051 birds, which consisted of 51 958 White Storks Ciconia ciconia, 16 185 Common Buzzards Buteo buteo, 15 232 Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina and 9085 Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus. The study demonstrates the importance of the Bosphorus for the spring migration of soaring birds. INTRODUCTION Turkey has major Western Palearctic migration crossroads, with corridors and bottlenecks for soaring birds in the northwestern (Bosphorus in Istanbul, Figure 1), northeastern (Borçka, Artvin province) and southern (Belen, Hatay province) parts of the country (Grimmett & Jones 1989). The Bosphorus is a well-known migration bottleneck for soaring birds due to its location at the junction between Europe and Asia. The whole population of eastern White Storks Ciconia ciconia, over 340 000 birds, flies over the Bosphorus. Zalles & Bildstein (2000) reported between 29 000 and 75 000 migrant raptors in autumn over the Bosphorus whereas a very recent multi-station but short survey has shown that more than 150 000 raptors use the area in autumn (Milvus Group 2008). Most of the world population of Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina and Levant Sparrowhawks Accipiter brevipes, at least in autumn, crosses into Asia via the Bosphorus (Kirwan et al 2008) using the east Mediterranean route (Shirihai et al 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Migratory Birds Index
    CAFF Assessment Series Report September 2015 Arctic Species Trend Index: Migratory Birds Index ARCTIC COUNCIL Acknowledgements CAFF Designated Agencies: • Norwegian Environment Agency, Trondheim, Norway • Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada • Faroese Museum of Natural History, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands (Kingdom of Denmark) • Finnish Ministry of the Environment, Helsinki, Finland • Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Reykjavik, Iceland • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greenland • Russian Federation Ministry of Natural Resources, Moscow, Russia • Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Stockholm, Sweden • United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska CAFF Permanent Participant Organizations: • Aleut International Association (AIA) • Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) • Gwich’in Council International (GCI) • Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) • Russian Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) • Saami Council This publication should be cited as: Deinet, S., Zöckler, C., Jacoby, D., Tresize, E., Marconi, V., McRae, L., Svobods, M., & Barry, T. (2015). The Arctic Species Trend Index: Migratory Birds Index. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna, Akureyri, Iceland. ISBN: 978-9935-431-44-8 Cover photo: Arctic tern. Photo: Mark Medcalf/Shutterstock.com Back cover: Red knot. Photo: USFWS/Flickr Design and layout: Courtney Price For more information please contact: CAFF International Secretariat Borgir, Nordurslod 600 Akureyri, Iceland Phone: +354 462-3350 Fax: +354 462-3390 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.caff.is This report was commissioned and funded by the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), the Biodiversity Working Group of the Arctic Council. Additional funding was provided by WWF International, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The views expressed in this report are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arctic Council or its members.
    [Show full text]
  • Pallas's Cat Status Review & Conservation Strategy
    ISSN 1027-2992 I Special Issue I N° 13 | Spring 2019 Pallas'sCAT cat Status Reviewnews & Conservation Strategy 02 CATnews is the newsletter of the Cat Specialist Group, Editors: Christine & Urs Breitenmoser a component of the Species Survival Commission SSC of the Co-chairs IUCN/SSC International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is pub- Cat Specialist Group lished twice a year, and is available to members and the Friends of KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, the Cat Group. Switzerland Tel ++41(31) 951 90 20 For joining the Friends of the Cat Group please contact Fax ++41(31) 951 90 40 Christine Breitenmoser at [email protected] <[email protected]> <[email protected]> Original contributions and short notes about wild cats are welcome Send contributions and observations to Associate Editors: Tabea Lanz [email protected]. Guidelines for authors are available at www.catsg.org/catnews This Special Issue of CATnews has been produced with Cover Photo: Camera trap picture of manul in the support from the Taiwan Council of Agriculture's Forestry Bureau, Kotbas Hills, Kazakhstan, 20. July 2016 Fondation Segré, AZA Felid TAG and Zoo Leipzig. (Photo A. Barashkova, I Smelansky, Sibecocenter) Design: barbara surber, werk’sdesign gmbh Layout: Tabea Lanz and Christine Breitenmoser Print: Stämpfli AG, Bern, Switzerland ISSN 1027-2992 © IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group The designation of the geographical entities in this publication, and the representation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila Heliaca) in the European Part of Turkey
    ACTA ZOOLOGICA BULGARICA Acta zool. bulg., Suppl. 3, 2011: 87-93 Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in the European part of Turkey Dimitar A. Demerdzhiev1, Stoycho A. Stoychev2, Nikolay G. Terziev2, and Ivaylo D. Angelov2 1 31 Bulgaria Blv�., 4230 Asenovgra�, Bulgaria; E�mails: �emer�jiev@yahoo.�om; �_�emer�[email protected]; w��.bspb.org 2 Haskovo 6300, P.O.Box 130, Bulgaria; E�mails: stoy�hev.s@gmail.�om; w��.bspb.org; [email protected]; ivailoange� [email protected]; w��.bspb.org Abstract: This arti�le presents the results of the �rst more �etaile� stu�ying on the �istribution an� numbers of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Аquila heliaca SA V I G NY 1809) population in the European part of Turkey. T�enty territories o��upie� by Imperial Eagle pairs, �istribute� in three �ifferent regions �ere �is�overe� �uring the perio� 2008�2009. The bree�ing population was estimate� at 30�50 pairs. The stu�y i�enti�e� t�o main habitat types typi�al of the Imperial Eagles in European Turkey – open hilly areas an� lo� mountain areas (up to 450 m a.s.l.) an� lo� relief plain areas (50�150 m a.s.l.). Poplar trees (Populus sp. L) were i�enti�e� as the most preferre� nesting substratum (44%), follo�e� by Oaks (Quercus sp. L) (40%). Bree�ing �ensity �as 1 pair/100 km2 in both habitat types. The shortest �istan�e bet�een t�o bree�ing pairs �as 5.8 km re�or�e� in plain areas in the Thra�e region.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Green Plant Material in Bird Nests to Avoid Ectoparasites
    July1984] ShortCommunications 615 the Spot-wingedFalconet may not benefitthe Monk HoY, G. 1980. Notas nidobio16gicasdel noroestear- Parakeet in such a manner. gentino. II. Physis (Buenos Aires), Secc. C, 39 We are grateful to A. G6mez Dur&n and J. C. Vera (96): 63-66. (INTA) for grantingus the useof the fieldwork areas, MACLEAN,G.L. 1973. The SociableWeaver, part 4: to N. Arguello and M. Nores for their assistancein predators, parasites and symbionts. Ostrich 44: the identification of food remains, and to J. Navarro 241-253. for his help in the field. This work wassupported by STRANECK,R., & G. VASINA. 1982. Unusual behav- a grant from the Subsecretariade Ciencia y Tecno- iour of the Spot-winged Falconet (Spiziapteryx logla (SUBCYT) of Argentina. circumcinctus).Raptor Res. 16: 25-26. LITERATURE CITED Received7 July 1983, accepted21 February1984. DEAN, A. 1971. Notes on Spiziapteryxcircumcinctus. Ibis 113: 101-102. The Use of Green Plant Material in Bird Nests to Avoid Ectoparasites PETER H. WIMBERGER 1 ZoologyDivision, Washington State Museum DB-10, Universityof Washington, Seattle,Washington 98105 USA Certain birds characteristicallyplace green plant causesnestling mortality in and nest desertion by material in their nests.This greenery is not part of birds (Webster 1944, Neff 1945, Fitch et al. 1946, Moss the nest structureproper but is placed haphazardly and Camin 1970, Feare 1976,Wheelwright and Boers- around the edges or inside the nest. The birds re- ma 1979).In general,the increasedmortality due to plenishthe spraysof greenmaterial, often daily, dur- ectoparasitesis causedby the loss of blood, which ing incubation and the nestling period (Brown and weakens the host, by viral disease, or by disease Amadon 1968, Beebe1976, pers.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila Heliaca in Bulgaria Between
    Chancellor, R. D. & B.-U. Meyburg eds. 2004 Raptors Worldwide WWGBP/MME Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca in Bulgaria between 1994 and 2002 Stoycho Stoychev, Ivelin Ivanov, Tzeno Petrov, Simeon Marin5Dimitar Demerdzhiev, Gradimir Gradev and Dobromir Domuschiev ABSTRACT In Bulgaria between the years 1994 to 2002, research, monitoring and conservation activities on the Eastern Imperial Eagle significantly increased. The total Bulgarian population is estimated to be between 20 to 25 pairs. Fifteen nest sites were discovered. Most of the areas important for breeding are located along the border with Turkey in the Sakar Mountains (7 nests) and Strandja mountains -Dervent Heights (5 nests). The majority of the territories (86%) are located in areas of elevation between 150 and 400m. Seventy-six percent of the nests discovered were in poplar trees. During the nine years of study, almost 65% of the breeding attempts surveyed were successful. The mean breeding success was one young per occupied nest and 1.54 chicks per successful nest. However, during the years 1998-2000, which coincided with an increase in the number of monitored nests, the breeding success was between 0.83 and 0.91 fledglings per occupied nest. The adult birds were mainly sedentary, spending the winter in the breeding territories. Three wintering and temporary settlement areas important for immature birds were identified. The main threats to Imperial Eagles in Bulgaria are: disturbance, cutting of poplar trees and abandonment of pastures INTRODUCTION At the end of the 19th century, Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca were widespread throughout Bulgaria. Leverkuhn (after Boev 1978) reported 1,824 nests.
    [Show full text]