Raptor migration in the north-east of 
Turkey, September 1990 
Marcel Kok & Jean Paul Ongenae 
In autumn huge numbers of migrating raptors concentrate in the 
Hopa, Borcka and Arhavi region of north-east Turkey, having been 
converged by the Black Sea and the Caucasus. They originate mainly 
from the former U.S.S.R. west of the Urals, north uo to Fenno- 
Scandinavia and up to and including parts of eastern Europe (Bijlsma, 
1987). The only relatively complete count in this area, in 1976 
(Andrews et ah, 1977), produced some 380,000 migrating raptors. 
Experiences at other sites, however, show that first censuses at 'new 7 
sites hardly ever produce optimal results because of the time taken to 
locate the best spots for censusing (Bijlsma, 1987). 
According to Kasparek and Kasparek (1990) the best spots are around 
Hopa and Borqka in the Coruh Valley and Arhavi. Because relatively 
little is known about this fly-way, we consider it worthwhile to report 
our observations from 16 to 28 September 1990 and to compare them 
with previous observations. A full report can be obtained from the 
first author. 
Census sites 
Arhavi 
From 16 to 20 September we counted on the south-west side of the 
large valley south of Arhavi. To the north there was an excellent view 
through the valley at Arhavi and towards the Black Sea coast. Most 
birds on this route flew apparently rather close to the coast-line. Many 
birds soared up around a hill east of this valley. To the south there 
was a good view of some other hills, but it was our impression that 
not many birds flew past there. 
Borcka 
We counted above the little village of Tarakli (point number 5 in 
Kasparek and Kasparek (1990) close to the woods on top of the hill. 
There was a good view of the Coruh Valley and the transverse valley 
Many birds, mainly in the morning, did not follow the Coruh, but dis- 
appeared into this transverse valley to the south-west. 
8 
