September 14 - Raptor’s Day!

Today is the 30th day. 11 species out of 17 birds in total were ringed. Nothing new.

But, Today was a fantastic day for raptors. Afternoon around 3pm, a huge flock of raptors mainly more than 250 Black Kite (Milvus migrans), 4 Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginesus), 2 Montagu‘s Harrier (Circus pygargus) and a Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo Rufinus) were soaring over the station . They spent at least an hour over the station and probably roosted close to our station.

Good birding…:)

Today’s birds were:

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

September 13 – Quail (Coturnix coturnix) ! & New ringers!

Today is the 29th day. 12 species out of 18 birds in total were ringed. We had a new species on the net: Quail (Coturnix coturnix) !

Today, there were also new visitors at the station. Our new ringers Janet Derricott and John Crix from England arrived. They will be here at Aras Ringing Station for an orientation a few days. After that they will be ringing in our other ringing station Lake Kuyucuk Bird Research and Education Centre.

Welcome Janet and John !

Good birding…:)

Today’s birds were:

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

September 12 – Nothing new except a Weasel!

Today is the 28th day. 10 species out of 13 birds in total were ringed. Nothing new…

But, in our morning trip we met with fantastic mammal so close to our station: a Weasel (Mustela nivalis)! And also at the same time, we saw 2 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) busy with handling a prey! Very exciting morning!

Good birding…:)

Today’s birds were:

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

September 11 – A new species!

Today is the 27th day. 15 species out of 24 birds in total were ringed. A new species for this season: Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra).

In the evening, a huge flock of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) including 200 individuals were dancing over the station and three of them were caught.

Good birding…:)

Today’s birds were:

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)
Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)
Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)
Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

September 10 - Fantastic day !

Today is the 26th day. 11 species out 19 birds in totatl were ringed. Two new species for this season: a Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) & a Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) on the net!

We also recorded 4 Black-bailled Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), 17 Chukar (Alectoris chukar) and 2 Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)in our daily morning observations.

And, Today, our daily friends from Antalya: Lale Aktay and Özgün Sözüer visited us. Thanks to Özgün that He tought us how to knit mist nets. From now on we can knit our own nets. They went back to Kars for one week Ethnobiology course which was also orginesed by our society.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

September 9 - A usual day...

Today is the 25th day. 12 species out of 21 birds in total were ringed. Nothing new.

We had 2 control Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) which were ringed in our station before.

There was also a migratory Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes) soaring over the station.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

September 8 - Raptors Day! & A new species on the net

Today is the 24th day. 11 species out of 23 birds in total were ringed.

We had a new species for this season: an immature ''Common Rosefinch'' (Carpodacus erythrinus).

Today was also a nice day for raptors. They took advantage of wind in the afternoon. 52 Black Kites (Milvus migrans), 2 Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), 1 Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus), 1 Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) and a juvenile Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) glide over us.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

September 7 - Raptor migration!

Today is the 23th day. 18 species out of 30 birds in total were ringed. Bird activities around the station resumed. The number of birds caught is all right. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) was today's favorite bird. It was the second of this season.

On the other hand, raptor migration over the station is also picking up. In the morning, we recorded 46 Black Kite (Milvus migrans) in the river coast which probably had been roosting on the coast of Aras River.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

September 6 - An efficient day

Today is the 22th total 18 species out of 31 birds in total were ringed. A nice day comparing to last poor five day.

Also, a new volunteer in the station: ''Mehmet Arslan'' from Niğde Üniversity. And, Kasım and Soner were came back to the station. We are now 7 people in the station.

Our dear diligent friend Merve should double the meals from now on...:)

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Green Warbler (Phylloscopus nitidus)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Septembe 5 - Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) !

Today is the 21th day. 11 species out of 12 birds in total were ringed. A new rare visitor for this season: an immature ''Citrine Wagtail'' (Motacilla citreola) ! excited us. Good news!

Hope to see more new species...

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)

September 4 - A usual day...

Today is the 20th day. Nothing new. 11 specıes out of 16 birds in total were ringed. We have also two control Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) which were ringed in our station before.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Savi's Warbler (Locustella lusciniodes)

Great Tit (Parus Major)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

September 3 - Nothing new...

Today is the 19th day. Only 7 species out of 9 birds in total were ringed. There was also no bird activity around the stattion. Extremely silent day.

But we had a new volunteer from İstanbul. He is a keen photgrapher.: Ozan Yolcu.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

September 2 - A very poor day...

Today is the 18th day. Altough the weather was fine, only 5 specıes out of 11 birds in total were ringed. A very poor day...

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

September 1 - We will miss you...

Today is the 17th day. 15 species out of 34 birds in total were ringed. Nothing new.

But there were 2 control Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) which were ringed in our station before.

Today was also a quit sad day for us. We saw our dear volunteers off.

''Gamze Acet'', ''Jale Tanış'', ''Nuh Kubilay'', ''Osman Baydili'', ''Ömer Karaman'' from Fırat University; and ''Gül Yücel'' and ''Meltem Tuna'' from Middle East Technical University had been volunteering in our both bird ringing studies in Iğdır and in our Large Carnivors Project in Kars, for the last 2 weeks. Thanks to their kind effort. We will miss them...

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Savi's Warbler (Locustella lusciniodes)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

River Warbler (Locustella fluviatilis)

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Magpie (Pica pica)

August 31 - A new arrival!

Today is the 16th day. 15 species out of 28 birds in total were ringed.

A Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) was new for this season and a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was the second for this season.

The Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) with its small bill, but huge mouth amazed new volunteers!

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Ausgust 30 - Reached 45 species in two weeks!

Today is the 15th day. We have left two weeks behind in the station with 45 different species out of 396 birds ringed!

Today, 13 species out of 28 birds in total were ringed. A Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and a Magpie (Pica pica) were new species of this season. There was also a control bird: Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus) which was ringed in our station before.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

River Warbler (Locustella fluviatilis)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Magpie (Pica pica)

August 29 - A usual day...

Today is the 14th day.

A usual day...

Nothing new...

13 species out of 22 birds in total were ringed today.

This season's second Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) (first one was yesterday) and third River Warbler (Locustella fluviatilis) were pleasing...

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Great Tit (Parus Major)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

River Warbler (Locustella fluviatilis)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

August 28 - Newcomers! :)

Today is the 13th day. A new active day in the station. So far, our volunteers, ''Kasım Kırlangıç'' from Middle East Technical University, ''Merve Tepe'' from Pamukkale University and our dear charitable and venerable brother ''Levent Aydın'' have been volunteering in the station.

From now on, our bird ringing expert ''Sedat İnak'' and our field assistant ''Yakup Şaşmaz'' are going to host 7 more volunteers, ''Gamze Acet'', ''Jale Tanış'', ''Nuh Kubilay'', ''Osman Baydili'', ''Ömer Karaman'' from Fırat University; and ''Gül Yücel'' and ''Meltem Tuna'' from Middle East Technical University. They had been volunteering in our another project (Large Carnivors Project) in Kars, for the last 10 days. Thanks to their kind effort.

So, this was the first day and the very exciting day for them. From now on they will also become more closer to the magnificent birds which they had been dreaming about. They will begin to enjoy touching these cute and amazing migratory birds...

Lucky day for newcomers. Today 10 species out of 27 birds in total were ringed. Besides, there were 6 recaptured birds. And there were also new migratory comers too :) First Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and the first Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) of the season!

A funny day...:)

Good birding...:)

Here are the today's birds:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)

August 27 - A very poor day...

Today is the 12th day. It was drizzling all afternoon. Only 7 species out of 11 birds in total were caught. Nothing new...

A very poor day...

A Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) was a control bird which had ringed in our station before.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

August 26 - Two new species for the season!

Today is the 11th day. 16 species out of 29 birds in total were caught.

2 new birds for this season: Beatutiful Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and 3 cute Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) !

With these two new species, we reached 40 different species ringed in the first 11 day! Good job! :)

Hope to have more species in coming days...

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Olivaceous Warbler (Hippolais pallida)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

August 25 - Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) !

Today is the 10th day. 12 species out of 24 birds in total were caught. A Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) was the first for this season.

There was also a control Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) which was ringed in our station before.

Good birding...:)

Today's birds were:

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Roller (Coracias garrulus)

Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)