Best of Europe/'Das Beste' Berichte

Vogel des Jahres /German Bird of the Year 2001
(click on pic for infos)

  Metehan's Mailbox

There are only 2 interesting sightings for the first 15 days of year 2001 in Turkey.

1. Goldeneye, 1 Ind. (Bucephala clangula) again from Kızılırmak delta on 14.01.2001. It is a regular winter visitor to the northern coastland of Turkey but this is the first record of the year.

2. Black Kite, 1 Ind. (Milvus migrans) at Buyuk Cekmece lake in Istanbul on 14.01.2001. It is the third over-wintering individual in Turkey this winter.

But there are two probable remarkable sightings (unconfirmed reports waiting detailed description.)

First is a Grey-headed Woodpecker Grauspecht (Picus canus) on 15.01.2001 from Edirne near the Greek border. It is believed to be a scarce breeding resident in old forests. No records for the year 2000 in Turkey. (If you have any in year 2000, please inform me). Second are 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls Heringsmöwe (Larus fuscus) in Ankara on 14.01.2001. This bird is common during migration and again commonly observed during winter on all coastlands of Turkey. What is interesting is that there are no known previous records from Central Anatolian lakes during winter. ( If you have any, please inform me)

So I am sending a report on raptor migration (of my bird-watching society at Bosphorus ) to warm you and think about those lovely birds during these cold winter days. If you don't have interest on raptors, please just delete the message ( Part 2 follows later for those interested )

· Leylek Ciconia ciconia White Stork (Weissstorch)
14 (1,2)

· Kara leylek Ciconia nigra Black Stork (Schwarzstorch)
714 (1,2)

· Balık kartalı Pandion haliaetus Osprey (Fischadler)
2 (1,2)

· Kara çaylak Milvus migrans Black Kite (Schwarzmilan)
1 (1)

· Yılan kartalı Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle (Schlangenadler)
362 (1,2,3)

· Küçük akbaba Nephron percnopterus 1 (2)

· Saz delicesi Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier (Rohrweihe)
18 (1,2)

· Bozkır delicesi Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier (Steppenweihe)
1 (1)

· Atmaca Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk (Sperber)
94 (1,2,3)

· Yaz atmaca Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk (Kurzfangsperber)
537 (1,2,3)

· Çakır kuşu Accipiter gentilis Goshawk (Habicht)
2 (1,2)

· Şahin Buteo buteo Buzzard (Mäusebussard)
543 (1,2,3)

· Kızıl şahin Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard (Adlerbussard)
1 (1)

· Arışahini Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard (Wespenbussard)
88 (1,2)

· Küçük kartal Hieraetus pennatus 29 (1,2,3)

· Küçük orman kartalı Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle (Schreiadler)
1408 (1,2,3)

· Ulu doğan Falco cherrug Saker (Würgfalke)
1 (3)

· Bıyıklı doğan Falco biarmicus Lanner (Lannerfalke)
1 (1)

· Gökdoğan Falco peregrinus Peregrine (Wanderfalke)
1 (2)

· Delice doğan Falco subbuteo Hobby (Baumfalke)
13 (1,2,3)

· Kerkenez Falco tinnunculus Kestrel (Turmfalke)
2 (1,2)

· Küçük kerkenez Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel (Rötelfalke)
2 (1,2)

· Boz ebabil Apus pallidus Pallid Swift (Fahlsegler)
12 (1)

· Boğmaklı ardıç Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel)
5 (1)

· Kuzgun Corvus corax Raven (Kolkrabe)
4 (2)

Locations:
1- Büyük Çamlıca Hill
2- Anatolian Castle, 3- Kavacık.

Time: Between 16th – 22nd September 2000

Weather: Warm, 15-18 C, occasionally rainy, 4-6/8 cloudy.

Observers:
Ali Atahan, Bahtiyar Kurt, Fazilet Üker, Metehan Özen, Sevgi Mutlu, Zeynel Aslan.