Özge Keşaplı Can, Özgür Keşaplı Didrickson, Arzu Gürsoy, C. Can Bilgin, Sancar Barış, Reinhard Vohwinkel, Murat Biricik, Jaroslaw Nowakowsky, Przemyslaw Busse The first three years of Turkish National Ringing Scheme: A synopsis 16th EBCC Meeting, 6-11 September, Kayseri, Turkey

Turkey lies on the major migratory flyway. No regular and thorough ringing studies before 2002.

History of ringing in Turkey First ringing study was carried out in 1955 with Radolfzell rings at Manyas Kuşcenneti National Park Between 1955 and 2000, more than 17,000 birds of 166 species were ringed by foreigners, mostly using Radolfzell, BTO and Bruxelles rings Specially made “Turkey” rings used in 1969 More than 750 foreign controls

The launch of the national scheme Pilot-scale ringing started by KAD and ODTÜ in 2001 with “KAD-Turkey” rings. A protocol was signed between KAD, ODTÜ, and General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks in March OMU joined the scheme immediately. A commitee arranges regulations and permits.

KAD is the coordinator of the National Ringing Scheme. Within the scope of the National Ringing Scheme various NGOs and universities throughout Turkey work together.

Stations in 2002 Cernek Manyas ODTÜ Titreyengöl

2002 results In spring, 15,487 birds of 107 species. In autumn, 12,340 birds of 99 species.

2002 results 26 birds of 10 species from 13 countries were recovered in Turkey.

2002 results 8 individuals of A. scirpaceus ringed in Turkey were reported from: Greece (4), Bulgaria (1), Hungary (1), Israel (1) and Kırklareli (Turkey) (1)

Stations in 2003 Cernek Manyas ODTÜ Titreyengöl Akyatan Dicle Arhavi

2003 results In spring,16,572 birds of 120 species In autumn 11,247 birds of 98 species.

2003 results 67 birds of 12 species ringed in 12 countries were recorded in Turkey.

2003 results 10 birds of 7 species ringed in Turkey were reported from 5 countries.

2003 results Apart from international recoveries, an Alcedo atthis ringed at Cernek station was controlled at Akyatan station 3 Phoenicopterus ruber ringed in Gediz Delta was observed in Gediz Delta and Çukurova Delta

Three years of ringing brought; a first country record of Phylloscopus borealis third and fourth country records for Acrocephalus dumetorum fourth country record of Phylloscopus inornatus several new site records like Otus brucei in Diyarbakır In the scope of National Ringing Scheme, more than 70,000 birds have been ringed so far.

Very limited number of Turkish licensed ringers was a major bottleneck and active contributions by Polish colleagues were crucial for success. Collaboration with SE European Bird Migration Network (SEEN) Our involvement in the SEEN continue to be crucial for the further development of the scheme.

Colour Ringing Studies

Mediterranean Gull 773 nestlings have been ringed since 1997.

Dalmatian Pelican Since 1987, 382 nestlings have been ringed.

White Stork 65 nestlings were ringed in Kızılcahamam (Ankara) and Bursa in

Greater Flamingo 447 individuals have been ringed in Gediz Delta in

“Expansion, Improvement and Publicization of National Ringing Scheme” Project with the support of UNDP GEF SGP This project aimed to: improve national capacity by training new ringers, inform and involve local conservation authorities, raise public awareness through on-site interaction with birds and information dissemination, build up a ringing stations network in Turkey, and, fully integrate the Turkish National Ringing Scheme with international initiatives.

Ringing courses 100 people participated in 2 courses in March and August 2003

Education activities with children

Education activities for national park wardens

6th SEEN Workshop 6-8 February 2004, İstanbul 50 people from 12 countries participated. 6 Turkish ringers received their SEEN licences.

Brochures and posters about bird migration and ringing activities

Web Page of the Scheme

Annual Reports of the Scheme

National Ringing Scheme in Press

A custom-built software for managing records and for statistical analyses.

The NRS is of utmost importance for, Systematic bird migration research, Long-term monitoring of species, Bird migration population dynamic studies of Turkey. Well targeted conservation projects.

Since migrants know no boundaries, international collaboration is vitally important for the sound research and conservation studies.

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