Impressions of spring passerine 
migration at Aksehir Golii, Turkey 
Chris Bradshazv and Guy Kirwan 
During a short survey of Aksehir Golii, conducted between 19 and 26 
April and 3 and 8 May 1992, it became apparent that the area is important 
for migrant passerines. This note summarises our observations. 
When we arrived in the area on 19 and 20 April, there were large numbers 
of Lesser Short- toed Larks Calendrella rw/escens, Whinchats Saxicola rubetra, 
Sedge Warblers Acrocephalus schoenohaenus, Lesser Whitethroats Sylvia 
ciirruca, Blackcaps S atricapilla, Wood Warblers Phylloscopus sihilatrix and 
Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca. During the following week, there 
were also falls of several other species: Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, 
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Willow 
Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, and Collared Flycatcher Ficedula aWicollis. 
Although we could only estimate numbers because of the wide area of 
habitat involved, the volume of migration was very impressive. For 
instance, we calculated that perhaps as many as 10,000 Whinchats, 15,000 
Blackcaps and 250 Collared Flycatchers were present on some days. 
Smaller numbers of the following species were also regularly encountered 
throughout the first week of the survey period: Citrine Wagtail Motacilla 
citreola (eight individuals). Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia, Barred 
Warbler Sylvia nisoria, Spotted Flycatcher Mwsc/cflpfl striata and Wryneck 
]ynx torquilla. 
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