In general, most migration of soaring raptors and Black Storks Ciconia nigra 
along the coast was noted in the mornings and related to departing birds. 
On 15 October, a group of about 60 Buzzards Buteo huteo left a presumed 
roost in the Turan Emeksiz forestry at a round 1 1 am. They slowly started 
circling towards the hills in a northeastern direction. On 11 October 
between 10.15 and 11.35am at Camlik, a single Honey Buzzard Pernis 
apivorus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (both first calendar 
year birds), eight Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus, 144 Buzzards and 
three Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomerina passed soaring and circling 
parallel to the coast to the east. 
Migrant groups of Black Stork were seen in the morning of 11 October 
near Kaldirim (25 and 95 flying east) and on 15 October around 830am, 
when a party of 46 departed a presumed roost south of Akyatan Golu. 
Height of migration increased during the course of the morning as 
thermals develo|:>ed. After midday they passed at considerable height, at 
the limit of binocular range, and were only detected by chance. 
Accordingly, few Short- toed Eagles, Buzzards and Lesser Spotted Eagles 
were reported in this way, all of these east of Karatas. 12 October 
around 1.30pm near Zeynepli, at least 15 Buzzards and two Short-toed 
- Eagles were spotted gliding down to SSE. They were at such a height that 
they weren't visible without binoculars. 
With increasing height, the direction shifted from flying around the Gulf 
of Iskenderun in the morning, to crossing it from midday onwards (see 
figure 1). The bulk of migration around the Belen Pass occurs between 
10am and 1pm (Cameron et al. 1967, Sutherland and Brooks 1981). The 
main factor influencing this may be the height at which the birds arrive 
at the Gulf of Iskenderun. It is likely that in general, birds arriving at the 
Gulf before midday are flying at a low height that forces them around the 
Gulf and brings them to the Belen Pass. After midday migrants approach 
the Gulf much higher and are able to cross it on a much broader front. 
Other coasting raptors that week, 
confined to early mornings, but in 
much lower numbers, were eight 
Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus, 
Pallid Harrier C. macroums (four 
records; eight individuals, two 
males). Honey Buzzard (two 
records; five individuals), one 
Buzzard, Red -footed Falcon Falco 
vespertinus (three records; seven 
individuals). 
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