Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Ornithology Research Center, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, conducted the Mid-Winter Waterbird Census. This census monitors the inventory of waterbirds wintering in wetlands, mapping their distribution over time and space.

The training also analyzes trends in waterbird populations over the years. Birds are considered key bioindicators in assessing ecosystem health. The presence of waterbirds in wetlands provides crucial information about the health and quality of these habitats.

Capacity Development Project

As part of the "Strengthening Capacity for Sustainable Management of Wetlands" project supported by the French Development Agency, the Ornithology Research Center organized waterbird census training to enhance the skills of birdwatchers. Students from the Birdwatching Community participated in the training.

Theoretical and Practical Training

During the sessions, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kiraz Erciyas Yavuz, a faculty member at the Ornithology Research Center, delivered theoretical lectures on the significance of waterbird censuses, planning, and technical aspects of the census. Prof. Dr. Yakup Sancar Barış also provided specialized training to help participants improve their waterbird identification skills.

Approximately 98,000 Birds from 71 Species Were Counted

Following the theoretical training, participants joined practical field exercises held at the Kızılırmak Delta. During this fieldwork, participants enhanced their species identification and counting skills, recording approximately 98,000 birds from 71 species.

Türkiye’s Longest-Running Bird Monitoring Project

The Mid-Winter Waterbird Census is considered Türkiye’s longest-running bird monitoring project, initiated in 1967. This long-standing initiative facilitates the monitoring of lesser-visited wetlands, providing comprehensive data and insights into the current state of these critical ecosystems.