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

than most males; this could be a result of interbreeding (the same character apparent in the
exceptional vagrant from Skagen, Denmark late May 2005; photoes, www.netfugl.dk).
296. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia Klippeværling
2005: 14.5 10 Kalki Dag.
2006: 16.5 1 Cimbar Bogazi, Demirkazik – 16.5 3 males Demirkazik - 17.5 1 singing Karhan
(between Kizilham Gecedi and Erzinzan) – 18.5 4 Gelinkaya – 20.5 1 Hopa – 20.5 3 Artvin.
2007: 15.5 3 Pinarbasi – 17.5 3 Karhan - 19.5 1 Artvin-Savsat – 19.5 6 Savsat – 20.5 1 Ardahan-
Kars.
Found in dry rocky hillsides, slopes and ravines with sparse vegetation (Byers et al. 1995). The
song at distance is somewhat confusing, bearing reminiscence of dunnocks and – to a lesser degree-
Green Warbler.
The birds from the NE might belong to ssp. prageri, which is larger than cia (Europe, W Turkey)
with paler, finer streaked mantle, buffer wing-bars and paler, more uniform underparts (Byers et al.
1995).
297. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Hætteværling
Common in Anatolian steppes and in south, where among the most numereous passerines in
lowlands (between sea-level and 1200 m), especially in flat arable landscape, plantations and
growths, orchards and macchia. Abundant in the SE, but much scarcer in the east and northeast.
2005: Most 13.5 6 Silifte cemetary (the only time we came over a group; probably migrants); but
scarce in Central Anatolia and Pontic Mountains (most 3 16.5 at Gelinkaya), and does not occur in
montane region. Scarce in the far East, where lacking in many areas; again widespread west of Lake
Van with most 22.5 10 Isikli - 22.5 20 Durnalik - 23.5 6 Demirzili.
2006: Common in hot areas in lower and middle altitude. Most 14.5 5 Adana-Silifke - 15.5 8
Demircili – 17.5 30 Kayseri-Sarkisla – 17.5 10 Kayseri-Sivas – 22.5 17 Bendimahi Marshes-Van –
23.5 8 Van-Tatvan – 23.5 40 Diyarbakir-Siverek – 24.5 20 Nemrut Dagi – 24.5 7 Atatürk Barasi-
Sanli Urfa.
2007: Common, locally abundant in the southeast. Most 14.5 15 Mezbahane – 15.5 25 Imamli –
16.5 10 Sultan Sazligi – 20.5 5 Halikisla – 20.5 6 Cilli Gecedi – 21.5 10 Patnos-Bulanik – 21.5 70
Bulanik – 22.5 26 Tatvan-Baykan – 22.5 41 Baykan-Batman – 22.5 6 Midyat – 22.5 25 Midyat-
Oyali – 22.5 35 Oyali – 22.5 25 Idil-Mardin – 23.5 6 Marsin-Diyarbakir – 23.5 10 Buzak – 23.5 10
Karadut – 23.5 35 Nemrut Dagi – 24.5 10 Hotel Euphrates, Karadut -24.5 20 Karadut – 24.5 30
Nemrut Dagi – 24.5 30 Nemrut Dagi-Kahta – 24.5 5 Birezik.
Turkish breeding population is between 1 and 10 million pairs (Tucker & Heath 1995)
298. Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra buturlini Bomlærke
Common throughout in open landscape, especially in flat arable land. The densiest populations
found in the flat arable land and grasslands of Central Anatolia and the far east; not in high
mountains.
2005: Most seen around Erzek Gölu, but no large number.
2006: Most 21.5 20 Ardahan-Kars – 22.5 10 Bendimahi Marshes-Van – 23.5 30 Silvan-Diyarbakir.
2007: Most 16.5 15 Elmali-Kavdarli – 17.5 50 Tuzla Gölü – 17.5 15 Sarkisla-Sivas – 20.5 15
Ardahan-Kars – 20.5 60 Kars-Halikisla – 20.5 15 Cilli Gecedi – 21.5 20 Dogubayazit-Tendürek
Gecedi – 21.5 120 Bulanik.
The ssp. buturlini is said to be sligtly paler, greyer and less streaked than calanda. These
differences were at most very subtile (as also indicated by Byers et al. 1995), which notes "The
species is often regarded as monotypic which seems to be a sensible position", but also notes that