TURKEY - a report from a birdwatching trip to Central ... - Netfugl.dk

2007: 19.5 1 imm. migrating Hopa.
Mainly winter visitor, being regular in small numbers in the south Mediterranean deltas, especially
at Göksu and Tarsus deltas with daily max. of 5 Nov-March, and up to 20 in entire Göksu delta
area. On migration in NE Pontics max. 24 in spring and 21 in autumn (Shirihai et al. 2000).
52. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Lille Skrigeørn
2005: 17.5 1 imm. migrating Rize - 17.5 11 (of which 2 3 cal year and 3 2 cal year) migrating Hopa.
- 17.5 1 imm. Ardahan.
2006: 17.5 1 ad. Yarhisar – 19.5 7 migrating Kalkandere – 20.5 3 imm. migrating Hopa – 21.5 5 (of
which 2 adults) Ardahan – 21.5 2 ad. Ardahan-Kars.
2007: 15.5 4 immature Göksu Delta – 18.3 3 migrating Toprakkale between Yoncalic and Maden
Köprubasi – 19.5 7 migrating Hopa (5 imm.) -20.5 5 (of which 4 adults) Ardahan – 21.5 1 Sim Er
hotel, Dogubayazit.
Turkish breeding population not exceeding 100 pairs, the densest population is found in NE turkey,
e.g. at Ardahan.
Spring migration continues into May. In NE Pontics 277 noted in 1977 (Shirihai et al. 2000). A
larger passage may be observed at Gulf of Iskenderun near Adana (the Belen Pass) both autumn and
spring, based on the massive migration present at Bourgas (Bulgaria), Bosphorus and northern
Israel/Palestina, where days over 15.000 regularly registrated. Autumn counts in NE Pontics gave
730 in 1976; 1299 counted Belen Pass in 1976 (Shirihai et al. 2000).
Concerning ID: all were typical, rather small-winged and compact birds with the typical
upperparts, but for 2 cal years now bleached compared to the cleaner and warmer impression of
fresh autumn juveniles, and with greater coverts bar reduced by wear, thus more similar to adult.
Underparts appears in most cases rather uniform with a faint paler coverts than flight feathers - a
normal field impression of the species. The double-patch at the wing-bend (created by pale bases to
primaries and primary coverts), so often cited in the literature on the base of Forsman 1997, was as
usual only observable at close range and works - as many other primary pattern features in raptors -
much better in photos than in the field.
If the "double-patch" looks like two evenly distinct "moons", it is a strong pointer towards Lesserspotted
- in combination with yellowish to mid-brown coverts diagnostic. Quite a number of Lesser
Spotted shows the pale bases to the primaries clearly more distinctive than the pale primary coverts
bases, creating a pattern more in line with expected from Greater Spotted Eagle A. clanga.
Controversially, many Greater Spotted have an indication of pale primary coverts bases - but only
in one case (a paler bird, seen near Dubai, UAE, Nov. 2002) creating a distinctive double-patch as
evident as in any Lesser Spotted (own obs, photo). This bird was better identified on general jizz
and shape, greyness of under wing coverts and a more typical upperpart of Greater Spotted.
Apart from feather characters (which often makes ID straightforward), the differences in wing-tip
are important: Greater shows a much squarer outer hand, as pp 3-6 (counted outwards) are longer
than in Lesser, where these feather are shorter (like they have been trimmed), and often enforces a
slight pointed rather than square wing-tip. Also, the inner primaries of Greater Spotted have paler,
almost unbarred outer half, creating an indication of a pale outer wedge (half version of Imperial
and Booted Eagle). In Lesser, the more evenly barred feathers does create a similar pale area. This
character, described by Svensson (1986) was introduced as a minor character - but the pattern have
added to the ID of a number of odd-looking birds since then, and is thus effective as a supporting
field mark.
53. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Slangeørn