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)