A study of passerine migration at METU (Ankara, Central Turkey) based on the mist-netting method


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Biyolojik Bilimler Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2004

Öğrenci: ÖZGE KEŞAPLI CAN

Danışman: CEMAL CAN BİLGİN

Özet:

Turkey is on the main migratory route for many bird species although especially passerine migration is little known. The objective of this study is to document and analyze the diversity, abundances, daily and seasonal phenologies of migrating passerines at METU as well as compare seasonal phenologies with those obtained at Manyas Kuscenneti(Balikesir) and Cernek(Samsun) stations. The study covers autumn 2001, spring and autumn 2002 migration seasons. Methodology is based on the capture and ringing of passerines. In the first two seasons, intermittent sampling was the rule, but in autumn 2002 the study was continuous throughout the day and the season. Totally 1,832 individuals of 60 passerine species were ringed. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) and Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) were the two most common species. Blackcap dominates species composition in autumn seasons with a very high percentage (%33). Daily captures peaked in the early morning and with a smaller peak one hour before the sunset. Several waves of migrants were detected in autumn 2002, with most peaks in close correlation with those recorded at Cernek station, indicating some connection between migrant populations using both sites for stopover. Fat depositon rates showed at least Yalincak is a high quality stopover site for most migrant species since many species gained weight up to around 50% within a period of 10 days. This is the first study documenting passerine migration in Turkey, and it revealed that small wooded landscapes within less hospitable habitats provide crucial stopover habitat for many migrant passerines.