SOARING BIRD MIGRATION RESEARCH AT THE BOSPHORUS STRAIT, TURKEY

Abstract

Soaring birds crossing the Bosphorus near Istanbul, Turkey, were monitored by the Istanbul Bird Watching Society (IBWS) in the 2007 spring season. During our research, we established an area that is significant for large numbers of migrating soaring birds crossing from Asia to Europe. In total the most abundant spp were White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) 44,566, Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo) 23,954, Lesser Spotted Eagles (Clanga pomarina) 7,036 and European Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) 3,653. We also compared our count to the count done in 1993, 2005 and 2006. This study in 2007 showed this site as crossing point for endangered Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) and Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus). This study included education outreach to visitors about the importance of Turkey for ornithology.