Raptor migration in north-east 
Turkey, autumn 1994 
Vojtech MrliK Miroslav Bobek, Frantisek Pojer, Jaroslav Skopek 
& Jiri Formdnek 
Between 24 September and 5 October 1994 we counted migrating rap- 
tors in the vicinity of Borgka, north-east Turkey. Published observa- 
tions from this locality are available only from 1976 (17 August-10 
October), 1977 (11-25 October), 1978 (18-27 September), 1980 (20 
September-2 October) and 1990 (16-28 September) (Andrews et al. 
1977, Beaman 1977, Kok & Ongenae 1994). Our short census provides 
supplementary and more recent information about this little studied 
flyway. The migration route usually follows the deep north-south 
canyon of the Coruh river. The habitat is partially described in 
Andrews et al. (1977) and Bijlsma (1987). The Coruh valley at Borgka 
is more than 1000m deep. The river canyon is immediately enclosed 
by the steep slopes of the Pontic mountains which reach over 2000m 
here and are covered by woods, pasture lands and plantations of 
hazel. There are many small villages in the area. Domestic livestock 
graze the pastures: chiefly cattle with smaller numbers of horses, don- 
keys, sheep and goats. It is difficult to locate the best spots for census- 
ing migrating raptors and other soaring birds. Our group counted at 
points south-east and north-east above Bor^ka at: a) Ibrikli Esentepe 
(the ridge 1000m above the river); b) Alkakoy (1200m) and c) the slope 
north of Artvin (600m). 
Our results are presented in comparison with those of the two earliest 
of the previous surveys (see table 1). Approximately 100,000 migrat- 
ing raptors of 24 species were observed during the study (figures 1 & 
2). The number of migrating raptors reached its peak on 26 September 
when 23,124 birds passed. Two conspicuous waves of birds were evi- 
dent on most days: between 0800 and 1000 and again between 1400 
and 1600, although the latter peak was usually less pronounced (see 
figures 3 k. 4). Compared to the most recent published data from this 
region in autumn 1990 our research revealed the following: 
a) higher totals of Buzzard Buteo Imteo vidpiniis, Black Kite Milinis 
migrans, Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and Egyptian Vulture 
Neophron percnopterus, but lower totals of eg. Honey Buzzard Pcrnis 
41 
