Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila Heliaca) in the European Part of Turkey

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. Pro�u�tivity (number of fle�glings/o��u� pie� territory), bree�ing su��ess (number of fle�glings/bree�ing pair) an� fle�gling su��ess (number of fle�glings/su��essful pair) for 2008 an� 2009 �ere reporte�, in�lu�ing 33 bree�ing attempts. The threats are insuf��iently stu�ie� an� nee� further investigation. Key words: Eastern Imperial Eagle, population, �istribution, number, European Turkey Introduction The Eastern Imperial Eagle �as �lassi���e���������� as an en�an� 1996). GURSAN , BIL G IN (2002) mentione� bree�ing gere� spe�ies �ith a �e�lining population in Turkey of the spe�ies in Thra�e an� along the Maritsa River (KIRWAN et al. 2008). The spe�ies �as reporte� in �ithout provi�ing any �ata on �on�rete lo�alities or lo� numbers as a resi�ent, partially migrating lo�al numbers. In the monograph on the bir�s of Turkey bree�er in almost all regions of Turkey (KIRWAN et publishe� in 2008 the Imperial Eagle �as reporte� to al. 2008). Different authors give �is�repant estimates be “on the brink of extin�tion as a bree�er in Thrace” of the bree�ing population. HEREDIA (1996) estimate� (KIRWAN et al. 2008). the national population at 10�50 pairs; accor�ing to This arti�le presents the results of the �rst more DE ROEC K (1993) the population totale� 50�150 pairs; �etaile� stu�y on the �istribution an� numbers of the an� GURSAN , BIL G IN (2002) reporte� 35�70 pairs. The Eastern Imperial Eagle population in the European s�anty bibliographi� �ata on the spe�ies �istribution part of Turkey. T�enty territories occupie� by Imperial in the European part of Turkey reporte� the spe�ies Eagle pairs, �istribute� in three �ifferent regions, as bree�ing in the vi�inities of Istanbul at the en� �ere �is�overe� as a result of our stu�ies �arrie� out of the 19th C (ALLEON , VIAN , 1869). In mi� 1960s, 2 in the perio� 2008�2009. Base� on this �ata an� other bree�ing pairs �ere reporte� along the lo�er rea�hes observations �e estimate� the Eastern Imperial Eagle of the Maritsa River (WARNC K E 1966, 1968, WIRT H population in European Turkey at 30�50 pairs. 87 Demerdzhiev D., S. Stoychev, N. Terziev, and I. Angelov Material and Methods the Shapiro�Wilk test (SH APIRO et al., 1968). Results with p<0.05 [α=5%] �ere �onsi�ere� signi��ant. Five expe�itions �ith a total �uration of 22 �el� �ays �ere �arrie� out in the European part of Turkey Results in the perio� Mar�h–O�tober 2008. In 2009 �e implemente� three �el� surveys �ith a total �ura� Breeding distribution and habitats tion of 10 �el� �ays in the perio� April�July. The During����������� ����������the������� resear�h �e �arrie�d�������������� ���������������������������out���������� in���������������� three �if� resear�h �as �arrie� out in three main regions. The ferent��������������������� ��������������������regions �������������������������in���������� ���������the������ perio�d���������� 2008�2009 �we���� re� �rst region �omprise� the Stran�ja Mountains an� �or�e� a total of 201 territories o��upie� by the Dervent Heights near the Bulgarian�Turkish bor� bree�ers, an� i�enti�e� a fe� more territories of �er, �ith a total stu�ie� area of about 2300 km2. The possible bree�ing (Fig.1). se�on� region �e stu�ie� �as a territory of Thra�e, The most important areas �ere the Stran�ja to the south of the E�irne�Kirklareli�Pinarhisar roa�, Mountain an� the Dervent Heights �here 9 nests �overing a total area of 3000 km2. The thir� stu�ie� �ere �is�overe�. The other t�o regions, where territory �as a region to the north of the Marmara bree�ing �������pairs �������ere��� re�or�e�d�������������� – Thra�������e �����(6 o��u� Sea, bet�een the to�ns of Tekir�ag an� Silivri (1000 pie� territories) an� North Marmara (5 o��upie� km2). �����The�� t�����o��� lo�����������alities ���re�or�e�d�������������������������������������� ������������������in���������������� ���������������the������������ 1960�������s������, situ� territories), �ere insuf��iently stu�ie�, an� the ate� along the lo�er reaches of the Maritsa River number of pairs bree�ing in these areas �as �er� (WARNC K E 1966, 1968) were also inspe�te�. The tainly un�erestimate�. inspe�tions involve� transect metho�s use� mainly While visiting the Ipsala region along the along river valleys or streams, or examination of lo�er���� rea���������������������������hes����������������������� of������������������������������������������ �������������������the���������������� ���������������Maritsa�������� River�������, ����������here �����bree���� high trees in open habitats. Another metho� use� ing of the spe�ies �as re�or�e� in the 1960s, �e �uring the inspe�tions �as observations from vie� observe� an in�ivi�ual in a suitable habitat. The point (BI bb Y et al. 1999, АNDERSEN 2007). torrential rain �uring the expe�ition impe�e� O��upie� territories, bree�ing pairs, age stru�� the tra�king of the bir� an� the���������� eventual �ete���� ture of population an� population bree�ing parame� tion of its nest. The region hel� large pastures ters �ere re�or�e� on an annual basis. We estimate� an� gullies with high trees, provi�ing suitable the pro�u�tivity (number of fle�glings/o��upie� ter� bree�ing �on�itions. We observe� an immature ritory), the bree�ing su��ess (number of fle�glings/ Imperial������������������ �����������������Eagle������������ �����������in �����������������its����� thir�d�������������������������������������������� ���������������������or������������������� ������������������fourth������������ �����������plumage for� bree�ing pair) an� the fle�gling su��ess (number of aging on the north si�e of the Kuru Mountains, fle�glings/su��essful pair) for 2008 an� 2009, in� �here bree�ing �as also possible. �lu�ing 33 bree�ing attempts. Base� on these �n�ings an� the availability The i�enti��ation of plumage �as �one a��or�� of suitable habitats in various regions, �e esti� ing to FORSMAN (2005). The bir�s in sixth �alen�ar mate� the population in European part of Turkey year �ere �onsi�ere� a�ults. The pairs were �ivi�e� at 30�50 bree�ing pairs. into������� three �������������ategories:��� a�������ult ���– ���������������onsisting �����of������ t�����o��� in�i� There were t�o main Imperial Eagle habitats vi�uals in a�ult plumage; mixe� – �onsisting of an in European Turkey. The �rst habitat was in the in�ivi�ual in immature plumage (se�ond-ffth) an� an regions of the Stran�ja Mountains an� Dervent a�ult partner (from sixth plumage up); an� immature – Heights near the Bulgarian–Turkish bor�er. �onsisting of t�o in�ivi�uals in immature plumage. The terrain �as �hara�terize������������������ by open hilly ar� Statistic���� pro�����������essing���� of �ata �as �arrie�������� out us� eas an� lo� mountain areas up to 450 m a.s.l. ing the program Statisti�a for Win�o�s, Release 7.0 The regions �onsiste�d�������������������������������������� of ���������������pastures�������, mosai��� s�at� (STATSOFT INC ., 1984-2004). The �omparison of tere� �el�s, mainly �heat or sunflo�er �rops, �ata �as base� on the parametri� T�������������test ������for in�epen���� an� small Oak �oppi�es. In these areas, Imperial ent variables, as �ell as on �es�riptive statisti�s. The eagle nests were lo�ate� mainly on single Oak �ata was analyse� for normal �istribution through trees in small �el�s. 1 In 2010, 25 nests �ere o��upie� by pairs. 88 Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in the European part of Turkey Fig. 1. Bree�ing �istribution of Eastern Imperial Eagle in the European Part of Turkey (● – �ertain bree�ing; ▲ – pos� sible bree�ing). The se�on� habitat type was typi�al of the Eagle nests (n=9) were situate� at a mean �istan�e Thra�e an� North Marmara regions, �omprising of 10.36 km ±0.86, as the shortest �istan�e re�or�e� lo� relief plain areas at an altitu�e of 50�150 m. bet�een t�o neighboring pairs �as 6.1 km, an� the The groun� �over �onsiste� mainly of mosai� arable longest – 16 km. lan�s an� some pastures. The Imperial Eagle nests in these areas �ere lo�ate� mainly on Poplar trees Breeding parameters of the population along small rivers an� streams (Fig.

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