The variety of migratory birds from Europe to Türkiye continues to lower because of the rising affect of local weather change.
Ornithologist Ömer Döndüren: “28 wetlands in Türkiye, mainly Izmir, Manisa, Aydın and Muğla, are seeing droughts. We don’t see many ducks this year because of the rising temperature; these birds spend their winter in Europe and immigrate to Türkiye’s south later.”
Bird watchers have studied hen populations in 28 wetlands in Izmir, Manisa, Aydın and Muğla, that are house to waterfowl with wealthy life assets.
Within the scope of the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Census (KOSKS), work is being carried out within the designated areas with the participation of nongovernmental group (NGO) members and volunteer hen watchers underneath the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the 4th Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and the Hunting and Wildlife Branch Directorate.
Hasan Paşalı, a hen skilled and coordinator for the Midwinter Waterfowl Census, labored with Döndüren to hold out hen surveys in 28 totally different wetlands, together with the Gediz, Bakırçay and Güzelhisar deltas, Izmir Bay, the Gölmarmara and Bafa lakes, the Aegean area Aydın’s Büyük Menderes Delta, and Baldırmaz and Köyceğiz lakes in southern Muğla province.
They discovered that flamingos come to the fore within the Gediz Delta, which has the standing of Wildlife Protection Area and Natural Protected Area and has utilized to be declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
“Unfortunately, we have been observing this more clearly, especially in the last two to three years. Some of the wetlands in Türkiye have dried up. The harsher the winter in Europe, the more birds there will be in our country. Because as the weather gets colder, the birds migrate south. Especially duck species, geese, swans, such birds head to warmer areas,” Döndüren stated.
Paşalı defined that they’ve been watching the waterfowl inhabitants and the adjustments in wetlands for a few years, and the censuses have been carried out in January and February when the birds arrive within the swamp. It was noticed that seasonal migration is low, Paşalı famous, additionally mentioning that the International Wetlands Institution organized the research.
“A sum of 178,174 birds from 77 species in 28 wetlands was recorded last year. At the same time, 228,031 birds from 80 species were counted in 2021. When you look at it, you see that the number has decreased in terms of species and bird numbers. We also noticed that some species did not come due to the hot weather in Europe and northern regions. Therefore, we observe the impact of global climate change on wetlands and species here,” Paşalı maintained.
