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THE MIGRATION OF RAPTORS AND STORKS THROUGH THE NEAR EAST IN AUTUMN
Author(s) -
Cameron R. A. D.,
Cornwallis L.,
Percival M. J. L.,
Sinclair A. R. E.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1967.tb00018.x
Subject(s) - buzzard , geography , buteo , flock , stork , fishery , ecology , zoology , biology , predation , archaeology
Summary Between 1963 and 1965 three expeditions have investigated the autumn migration of raptors and storks, on two occasions in southeast Turkey, and once in Lebanon. Nearly all the soaring birds leaving Europe by the Bosphorus cross Asia Minor and turn south at the Gulf of Iskenderun. The commonest of these migrants are White Stork Ciconia ciconia , Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus , and Eagles Aquila spp. Other species such as Common Buzzard Buteo buteo are not usually seen crossing the Bosphorus, but occur in large numbers in the flocks seen south of the Gulf of Iskenderun. It is suggested that these are birds from Russia and north Turkey. Common Buzzards also occur on Cyprus in autumn, but their point of origin is not clear. Short‐toed Eagles Circuetus gullicus and vultures join the migration from their breeding grounds in Turkey and the Levant. Different species tend to migrate at different times of year. White Storks, Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus and Black Kites Milvus migruns move chiefly between late August and mid‐September, while eagles Aquilu spp. start in late September and continue until November. Other species are intermediate, or spread their migration out over a longer period. The volume of migration at different times of day is discussed. No general conclusions are possible but in 1964 a correlation was obtained between cloud cover and the start of the migration.