This section is not intended as a definitive report or write-up of the projects concerned. Many of the projects are sponsored; such support is appreciated but is not generally given acknowledgment here.

Illegal killing and trading of birds The trapping and eating of small migrant birds, particularly Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla, European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster, Robins Erithacus rubecula and thrushes Turdus spp. has been a tradition in Cyprus for many decades. Birds were formerly trapped using lime-sticks but in recent years the use of mist-nets and tapes playing pre-recorded bird song has become widespread, resulting in a massive increase in the numbers caught and a significant increase in the amount of money that trappers can earn. The practice is driven by the many restaurants that continue to sell birds, openly and in large numbers, despite all trapping and sale being illegal under Cypriot law. The issue received widespread publicity in Cyprus and other countries following a visit to the island by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB; UK) staff in autumn 2000, when it was found that trapping was widespread on and around both Cape Greco in the Cyprus Republic and Cape Pyla within one of the British-controlled Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). Estimates provided by the Cyprus Ornithological Society (COS) (1957) suggest that up to 12 million birds are caught and killed annually, nine million of which are trapped during autumn migration. More than 100 species listed on Annex II of the Bern Convention may be adversely affected, 42 of which, including the breeding endemics, Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca and Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax, have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe.
A return visit to Cyprus by RSPB staff in October 2001 indicates that the authorities have stepped up enforcement activity and that trappers are becoming less open about their activities. The RSPB officials accompanied a joint patrol of both Cypriot Game Guards and SBA Police on an early-morning operation that resulted in the seizure of a number of nets, but unfortunately no trappers were apprehended. Many birds, mainly Blackcaps, were released. Despite this improved effort to prevent trapping, birds were still openly on sale within Cypriot restaurants away from the tourist areas. In one restaurant alone, openly advertising birds and frequented by middle-class Cypriots from Nicosia, almost 1000 birds at UK£1.50 each, were eaten in one evening.

Cyprus is a signatory to the Bern Convention, which affords protection to wild birds, and a file detailing the illegal killing and trading of birds in Cyprus was submitted to the Standing Committee meeting in Strasbourg in November 2001. This was prepared by the Cyprus Conservation Foundation in cooperation with COs (1957) and BirdLife International, and provided the source for the facts surrounding the scale of the trade as outlined above. It is clear that the bird-trapping problem in Cyprus will not be resolved until the Cypriot authorities can be persuaded to take direct action against those restaurants that continue to sell birds, and convince those people that encourage the trade by eating protected birds that the trapping and consumption of migrant birds is unacceptable. Please help prevent bird trapping in Cyprus by registering your concern by letter to: Mr I. Cassoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dem. Severis Avenue, Nicosia, Cyprus. (Source: Graham Elliott in litt., RSPB, November 2001.)

Counts of White-headed Duck Recent knowledge indicates that large numbers of White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala breed in the northern steppes of Kazakhstan. The total population is unknown as the species occurs in small numbers on hundreds of small and medium-sized steppe lakes, and no large concentrations have been found in spring. In addition, no complete breeding survey of these lakes has been attempted. The discovery of a large autumn concentration in south Kazakhstan is of considerable interest. Lake Kyzylkol, 165 km north-west of Dzhambul in central-south Kazakhstan lies on the southern edge of the steppes and deserts, and was visited between 14 and 17 September 2001 when just under 75,000 wildfowl were counted. The lake is only c. 5 km x 2 km, making this a very dense concentration. Counts over the three days revealed a total of 2838 White-headed Duck. No sex/age ratio counts were undertaken but substantial numbers of young as well as males and females were present. Only small numbers of waders were present, and the lake appears to be more important for these species in spring and late summer (e.g. there is a count of 400+ Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus in July).

Hunting appeared to be very light, though there is a series of shooting blinds on the lakeshore. Approximately three hunters per night were shooting along a small river with dense vegetation rather than from the blinds along the open shore, but appeared to take only c. 10 birds each night. The majority of wildfowl swam out of shooting range into the centre of the lake, and no boats were in evidence for waterborne wildfowling.

The lake appears to be an important post-breeding area for White-headed Duck from the northern steppes of Kazakhstan. It is possible that small numbers breed in the area as a group of 12 White-headed Duck was found on the lake in May 2000, but there is no fringe vegetation at Kyzylkol. However, several other lakes in the area that have been surveyed, particularly a reed-fringed lake a few kilometres to the west and the larger lakes of Bylykok and Akkol, nearer Dzhambul, possess extensive reedbeds.

Lake Kyzylkol freezes from about mid-October and it is likely that the wildfowl disperse before then, White-headed Ducks probably moving west to winter in the Caspian area or even Turkey.

Another large concentration of wildfowl was also found on the lakes, marshes and reservoir at Sorbulak, near Almaty, in southeast Kazakhstan. Here c. 28,000 wildfowl included 15,100 Coot and 1420 Ruddy Shelduck, and there were also six White-headed Duck, a rare visitor to the area. (Source: Andrew Grieve in litt. October 2001.)

New book provides key to saving Turkey's threatened birds Dogal Hayati Koruma Dernegi (DHKD, the BirdLife partner in Turkey) has launched the first-ever bird field guide in the Turkish language. More than 300 species regularly breed in the country, of which a high proportion are threatened in Europe. Realising that the need to protect Turkey's internationally important birds is not recognised by the Turkish people and that the commitment and involvement of local people is essential for effective nature conservation, DHKD launched an ambitious national birdwatching and site monitoring programme to generate increased local responsibility for appreciating nature. Tansu Giirpinar, DHKD general director, said that 'This book is an essential tool that will help DHKD deliver many of the conservation objectives in its programme. I am expecting a boom in birdwatching activities in the country now'. Through a combination of organised birdwatching schools and courses, a special newsletter for birdwatchers, and e-mail birdwatching facilities, DHKD has established several birdwatching groups across the country. Many of these are now actively monitoring and studying key sites (IBAs) close to their base. DHKD estimates there are now more than 200 active birdwatchers in the country, and the number is constantly growing. The book will be sold throughout Turkey by DHKD and bookstores for c. USD21.50, but birdwatchers participating in the IBA caretaker network programme and DHKD members are entitled to a discount. Profits from the sale of the book will be used to develop further caretaker groups in eastern Turkey. (Source: Bahtiyar Kurt in litt. February 2002.)

First steps towards a Turkish Breeding Bird Atlas DHKD and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have developed a proposal for a national breeding bird atlas to complement the national IBA (Important Bird Area) survey and caretaker network. Experience elsewhere has demonstrated that knowledge of bird distributions and populations is an important tool in detecting and monitoring changes in the quality of the environment. In many countries such information is available in the form of breeding bird atlases and, within Europe, Turkey is the major country from which such information is lacking. The increasing number of young Turkish birdwatchers and rising awareness of environmental issues in Turkey present a unique opportunity to involve a large number of people in a project of high conservation importance and to raise the profile of DHKD.

While the proposal is being submitted to several potential donors, some activities have already taken place. Last year three two-day training workshops were operated for Turkish birdwatching groups in Istanbul, Samsun (Black Sea coast) and Kayseri (central Anatolia). As well as learning about methodology, paperwork and fieldwork techniques (the importance of vocalisations in field identification and surveys) for the forthcoming Breeding Bird Atlas of Turkey, participants were able to practice atlas work in their local areas. The three locations encompassed a broad geographic spread in western Turkey and presented a variety of different habitats, Istanbul being urban and densely populated with a high proportion of coast; Samsun having forested mountains with potential access difficulties; and Kayseri a combination of high montane areas (Erciyes Dagi rises to almost 4000 metres) and steppe. Over 80 birdwatchers attended the courses.

Follow-up visits were made to each of the groups to obtain feedback concerning the survey work, evaluate any problems and collect ideas for improving the methodology and paperwork. Transport was the main problem for all of the groups, together with limited experience and timing of fieldwork-the majority of birdwatchers in Turkey are students and the peak breeding season coincides with exams. However, despite these difficulties, the three groups were unanimous in their support for the Breeding Bird Atlas project. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.)

New Great Bustard Conservation Project Great Bustard Otis tarda is a globally threatened species, for which the Turkish breeding population has been estimated at 800-3000 pairs. Several Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified as breeding grounds for the species, but there are still large gaps in our knowledge of the species' distribution, habitat selection and movements in the country. Notably, almost nothing is known about the presence or abundance of the species in eastern Anatolia. Further, dramatic alteration of vast areas of steppe and pseudo-steppe rangeland in Turkey are ongoing. An integrated plan for the species' conservation is urgently required but, firstly, a better understanding of its distribution and requirements across Turkey must be obtained. Indeed, the international Action Plan for the Great Bustard considers such work in Turkey a priority. Great Bustard can also be used as a flagship species to increase public awareness of the international importance of steppes and dry grasslands in Turkey.

Since 2000, DHKD has been coordinating an IBA Caretaker Network Project, in order to effectively monitor the conservation of birds throughout Turkey. More than ten newly established local birdwatching clubs are involved, and relevant monitoring and conservation actions are being undertaken in several regions. A Great Bustard project has been suggested by several such groups, and was prepared and will be conducted with the active participation of all. The project is being funded by BirdLife International and the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), and commenced in March 2002. Survey work (mainly in eastern Turkey) is planned for spring 2002, and there will also be several public awareness activities. The project seeks to achieve a better understanding of the conservation status and distribution of Great Bustard in Turkey, an increase in public awareness of the species' conservation especially at key breeding sites, as well as the production of a national Action Plan for Great Bustard. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.)

Turkey's Bald Ibis colour-ringed in anticipation of second successful breeding season The Turkish Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita population became extinct in the wild in 1989 but a semi-wild population persists at Birecik, free-flying from March to July and breeding around the large aviaries where the birds are kept during winter. The population has been managed by the Turkish Wildlife Service, which has developed a project proposal, together with the RSPB and DHKD, to ensure that the ibis are able to persist in a semi-wild state, and maintain options for restoring the species' wild status. The project commenced in 2001, when a Turkish ornithologist, funded by the RSPB, monitored the colony. Following several years of failed breeding seasons (probably because toxins in the food provided for the birds killed the nestlings), the 2001 season was marked by 19 fledglings. In anticipation of the 2002 breeding season, all 60 birds have been colour-ringed. Individual marks are essential for the collection of data that will enable further management of this semi-wild population. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.)

Ankara vulture meeting The Third Annual Eastern European/Mediterranean Griffon Vulture Working Group Meeting and Symposium on Vultures of Eastern Europe and the Middle East will be held in Ankara, Turkey, in October 2002. For more details check www.gyps.org or contact the Raptor Research & Rehabilitation Center Turkey (RRRCT) via e-mail: rrrct@yahoo.co.uk.