Autumn Migration in Eastern Turkey

Llangorse Ringing Gp members made a significant contribution to the migration monitoring in the Aras valley, in Eastern Turkey, in 2013.  From 25 Aug to 7 Sept, Ron and Jerry were the main ringers at the site, and Carlton took over from 8 to 21.  The site is a fairly broad valley close to the Armenian border, with scrubby areas, and reed fringed ponds running alongside the Aras river.  

About 50 nets are set through the scrub, over an area of about 2 ha, and are operated daily from dawn until dusk.  We would leave the house, as it was just starting to get light, for the half km or so walk to the ringing caravan, checking nets on the way, returning well after dark at 7 or 8 in the evening.  

Luckily, a steady turn over of volunteers stayed for a week or so, and after a few day's training they become fairly competent at doing the net rounds.  From about mid morning, it became very hot, and catches declined sharply, though the nets still had to be checked on a more frequent basis.  At the ringing station, everyone would move around to try and stay in the limited shade, and regular trips were made to the river to cool off by soaking your shirt.  During Ron/Jerry's stay, they were able to take turns to walk/cycle back to the house for a shower/cold drink/nap, but Carlton (being the only ringer), wouldn't have been so lucky.  Regular thunderstorms could be seen in the evenings over the surrounding hills (and the river level rose and fell, accordingly), but luckily, the valley stayed relatively dry.

During the first period, 851 birds (of 57 species) were ringed, with day catches mainly in the range of 50 - 70, the biggest catches of 104 and 135 involving good numbers of Swallow and Sand Martin at dusk.

 

The main species caught were Swallow, Sand Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Thrush Nightingale, Marsh Warbler, Barred Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Red-backed Shrike, and Rose-coloured Starling, with approx 5 - 10 Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Wryneck, Syrian Woodpecker, Bluethroat, Savis Warbler and Great Reed Warbler, and singles (or two) of Little Bittern, Levant Sparrowhawk, Hobby, European Roller, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Citrine Wagtail, Siberean Stonechat, Black-eared Wheatear, River Warbler, Blythe's Reed Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Green Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Masked Shrike, Scarlet Rosefinch and Ortolon Bunting.  A single Mountain Chiffchaff was also caught but had been ringed a few days before our arrival.  Ron's top birds were Masked Shrike and Little Bittern, while Jerry's was the Green Warbler.

Masked shrike

Little bittern

Green warbler

Carlton's stay produced a similar mix of the more frequent species, although some such as Barred Warbler had tailed off completely, with only one ringed on the day of arrival (8th), and no Rose-coloured Starling being seen.  In addition, some of the least frequent species of the first period, such as Masked Shrike and Citrine Wagtail, also failed to make an appearance.  This all suggested that these species had all now moved through.  Roller and Hoopoe were also only occasionally seen, with none ending up in a net.  Eight new species were added to the first period list, boosting the grand total to 66, and included Scops Owl, Marsh Harrier and Moustached Warbler.  “Near misses” include Purple Swamphen under, and Long-eared Owl over, the same group of nets on the same morning!!.  In total 1590 birds, of 51 species, were ringed during Carlton's stay.  Day catches had increased with five 100+ days.  The largest day catch was 596 (mainly hirundines), and the ringing hadn't quite finished when the birds from the dawn net round started to arrive!!.  Carlton ringed 12 new species, and although impossible to pick his “top bird ”, Bee-eater had been on the wish list for a long time and Marsh Harrier was a nice surprise.

Bee-eater

Other observations included some obvious Raptor migration (though no obvious raptor movements were seen during Ron/Jerry's stay, other than the occasional small group of Harrier/Black Kite), which seemed to coincide with the few afternoons when the weather was a little unsettled - the usual hot weather and clear skies giving way to some drifting cloud and the occasional light shower.  Several hundred raptors were noted on these afternoons, and although often very high (and difficult to identify every individual bird), the majority seemed to be Honey Buzzard or Black Kite with lesser numbers of Long-legged and Steppe Buzzards, and the odd Spotted, Booted or Short-toed Eagles and Red Kite.  Single Ospreys were also frequently seen passing along the Aras river.  All four species of Harrier were noted, while sightings of the local Hobby family was frequent, and the occasional Merlin was also seen, both usually drawn to the hirundines' pre roost activities.  Other than the raptors, other particularly memorable sightings were the gatherings of Pygmy Cormorant, feeding on the River Aras, and the Black-bellied Sandgrouse, passing over the ringing caravan in the early morning, having been to the river to drink.  Finally, to coincide with Carlton's arrival, there was much excitement, as (after many days' effort), the team had succeeded in trapping an Egyptian Vulture.  It was to be released after a satellite tag had been fitted, and was to be kept overnight to make sure it was ok.  So Carlton spent his first night sharing a room with a vulture!