150,000 Birds Ringed as OMU’s Long-Term Migration Research Reaches 25th Year

Since 2002, researchers at the Cernek Bird Ringing Station have ringed approximately 150,000 birds from around 180 species, generating long-term data on migration routes, stopover ecology, and seasonal movements.

Bird migration routes have been monitored continuously since 2002 at the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary in Bafra, Samsun, through long-term research conducted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU).

The Kızılırmak Delta is one of Türkiye’s most important areas for bird diversity. Of the 505 bird species recorded in Türkiye, 368, approximately 73 percent, have been documented in the delta.

Erciyas, "Doğu Akdeniz/Karadeniz göç rotası üzerinde yer alıyor ve bunu genel olarak Doğu Avrupa rotası olarak tanımlayabiliriz. Doğu Avrupa göç rotası çok iyi çalışılmamış. Özellikle ötücü kuşlarla ilgili bilgilerimiz sınırlı. Bu nedenle Kızılırmak Deltası'nda bulunan Cernek Kuş Halkalama İstasyonu kurulduğu günden bu yana ötücü kuşların göç takvimlerini, göç dinamiklerini, konaklama ekolojilerini araştırmaktadır." dedi.

Prof. Dr. Kiraz Erciyas Yavuz, Director of the OMU Ornithology Research Center, said Türkiye lies along a major migration corridor connecting the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.

“Türkiye lies on the Eastern Mediterranean–Black Sea migration route, which we can broadly describe as the Eastern European flyway,” Yavuz said.

She noted that this migration route remains relatively understudied, particularly in relation to passerine birds.

“Our knowledge of passerines is still limited,” she said. “For this reason, since its establishment, the Cernek Bird Ringing Station in the Kızılırmak Delta has been studying their migration calendars, migration dynamics, and stopover ecology.”

368 Bird Species Recorded in the Kızılırmak Delta

Prof. Dr. Yavuz emphasized the exceptional bird diversity of the area.

“Of the 505 bird species recorded in Türkiye, 73 percent have been documented in the Kızılırmak Delta,” she said.

A total of 368 species have so far been identified in the delta.

“Some species are winter visitors, some are resident, some come only to breed, and others arrive to spend the winter,” Yavuz explained. “For that reason, we cannot see all of these species at the same time. However, on an active migration day, around 120 species can be observed.”

Around 150,000 Birds Ringed Since 2002

Research at the OMU Cernek Bird Ringing Station has continued without interruption since the spring migration season of 2002.

“Our work at the Ondokuz Mayıs University Cernek Bird Ringing Station has continued from spring 2002 to the present,” Yavuz said. “So far, we have ringed approximately 150,000 birds representing around 180 species.”

Each bird is fitted with a ring carrying an address and unique identification number, allowing researchers to identify individuals if they are encountered again.

“The rings enable us to record birds individually,” Yavuz said. “When a ringed bird is recaptured elsewhere, or when its ring information is reported to us, we can obtain information about its wintering areas and the stopover sites it uses during migration.”

Ringed Birds Recorded Across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa

The long-running project has also generated valuable international migration data.

Yavuz said birds ringed in the Kızılırmak Delta have subsequently been reported from Romania, Finland, Sweden, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Russia, and Ukraine.

“These records allow us to build a broader picture of the birds’ migration journeys,” she said.

Each year, researchers ring approximately 2,000 birds during the spring migration season and between 6,000 and 8,000 birds during the autumn migration season.

“This gives us the opportunity to monitor them individually,” Yavuz said. “These studies have continued uninterrupted since 2002, and this year marks our 25th year.”

She added that OMU has supported and funded the ringing program throughout its operation.

Research Combined with International Training

Alongside its long-term monitoring activities, the Ornithology Research Center also organizes training programs at both national and international levels.

Yavuz said the Center was currently hosting an international program attended by 30 master’s and doctoral students.

Participants receive instruction not only in basic bird-ringing skills but also in data analysis and research design.

The Center also conducts national bird-ringing research and training activities in cooperation with the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Cernek Station Open to Students of All Ages

The Cernek Bird Ringing Station also welcomes educational visits from primary, secondary, high school, and university students.

“We attach great importance to giving students the opportunity to see and experience scientific research in the field,” Yavuz said.

In cooperation with Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, groups visiting by appointment are introduced to bird ringing, migration, field-net checks, the ecological importance of the Kızılırmak Delta, and birdwatching.

“In this way, students experience scientific work directly and get to know nature,” Yavuz said. “Even though it may only be a one-day experience, we receive very positive feedback from the students who visit us.”

More Than 1,500 Volunteers Have Contributed

Yavuz said more than 1,500 volunteers have participated in activities at the station over the years.

Students from universities across Türkiye, teachers, nature enthusiasts, and international volunteers have all contributed to the research.

“We also host volunteers from abroad,” Yavuz said. “At the moment, we have master’s students from Romania who are participating in our work for three weeks.”

She emphasized that volunteer participation remains essential to the program's continuity.

“Volunteers are extremely important to us,” she said. “We continue our work thanks in large part to their contributions, and we would like to thank all of the volunteers and bird ringers who have supported us over the years.”