Address:

Address: METU Plantation-Lake Eymir, Middle East Technical University, Ankara/TURKEY 39.82793 / 32.846262
Contact: soner.oruc@metu.edu.tr

27 Mart 2012 Salı

When starting

Middle East Technical University (METU) with its 45km2 safeguarded land, is one of the most important untouched natural areas of Ankara, capital city of Turkey. This arae includes a wide forest and Anatolian steppe, with some rocky areas and two lakes. It inhabits more than 33million trees, over 500 species of wild flowers, 23 mammal, 9 reptile and 126 butterfly species and 227 recorded bird species so far.

Birds are the most known livings in METU. Thanks to METU Bird Watching Society’s over 20 years observations and bird ringing studies of Özge Keşaplı Can in 2001&2002 that makes Campus bird checklist 227 species which is half of Turkish bird checklist (460) This number shows the importance of METU Campus for birds and makes it Turkey’s top university for birds.

METU Bird Ringing Station

The first scientific researches for birds of METU and their migration strategies date back to spring 2001 when bird ringing expert biologist Özge Keşaplı Can and her advisor Dr. Can Bilgin started bird ringing in different parts of the campus. This study continued systematically in 2001 fall and 2002 spring and fall. These studies are also the first systematic bird ringing studies documenting passerine migration in Turkey. 1832 birds out of 60 species were ringed during these studies.

Thanks to these ringing studies, first scientific data were provided about morphometric, physiological properties of migrant birds and their phenologies and migration strategies. These data and results revealed that small wooded landscapes within less hospitable habitats provide crucial stopover habitat for many migrant passerines.

a Jay

The second bird research in METU campus is conducted by biologist İlker Özbahar between 2003-2005. That study aimed to investigate breeding biology, population size and spatial distribution of nightingales at a small area in Yalıncak within the METU campus

As a result of that study, contrary to previous knowledge, taxonomically the Yalıncak population is found to be belonged to subspecies africana although more westerly subspecies could be recorded during migration. This study also revealed the importance of small but productive biotopes as important breeding habitats for passerines. It also showed that a few highly successful individuals may contribute out of proportion to the next generation.

New Period (2012-2013)

After a period of 10 years, bird ringing and bird migration studies in METU are starting again. We, METU Biodiversity and Conservation Lab. are planning to continue bird ringing during 2012 and 2013 migration period. The aim of this study is to test the results of previous studies and especially to understand the real nature of different migration waves, geographic origin of different populations, their migration strategies and migration dynamics. Moreover, this study will make a major contribution to our knowledge of passerine migration over Turkey and also will be a perfect opportunity for the education of keen candidate bird researchers and bird lovers in every age.

By the help of this blog, we will be pleased to share the latest news in METU Bird Ringing Station in the heat of the moment. We hope you will also enjoy sharing the same exciting moments and the amazing migration journey of our feathered friends.

At last, we emphasize that your support and your comments will be considerably worthful for our motivation and the future of bird researches and conservation of birds in Turkey.

Good birding,

Warm regards,

Soner

References

- Karaçetin, E., H.J. Welch, A. Turak, Ö. Balkız ve G. Welch. 2011. Türkiye’deki Kelebeklerin Koruma Stratejisi. Ankara: Doğa Koruma Merkezi.

- Keşaplı , Ö., 2004, A Study of Passerine Migration at METU (Ankara, Central Turkey), Based on Mis-Netting Method

- ODTÜ'nün Doğası http://www.odtunundogasi.org/

- Oruç, S., 2009, ODTÜ’nün Kuşları 1995-2008, ODTÜ Kuş Gözlem Topluluğu, Ankara

- Özbahar, İ., 2005, Breeding Biology, Population Size and Spatial Distribution of Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos Brehm, 1831) Population at Yalıncak (Ankara)

- Zeydanlı, U., 1995, ODTÜ Doğa Rezervi, ODTÜ Doğa Topluluğu, Ankara