Stopover ecology and migration strategies of wheatear species (Oenanthe spp.) at Boğazkent Antalya

Recent years, studies on songbirds and their migrations increased in Turkey. Although Turkey has important geographical position to connecting three continents and two important migration ways, there is restricted information about migratory species and their stopover ecology. On the other hand, there is an increase on studies about migratory birds and to determine the protection statues of natural areas. The aim of this study was to understand the stopover ecology and migration strategies of Wheatear species (Oenanthe spp.) at Boğazkent (Serik/Antalya). In this styudy, birds were captured with spring nets, captured birds were ringed with aluminium and color rings and used meal worms (Tenebrio molitor) to determine the stopover durations and mass differences of caught birds. The wing and primaries were measured, mass weighed, determined fat and muscle scores.As a result, Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), Isabelline Wheatear (O. isabellina), Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (O. melanoleuca), Desert Wheatear (O. deserti) ve Finsch?s Wheatear (O. finschii) were observed and captured. Northern Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear?s spring and autumn migration phenologies were calculated. So, Wheatears started their spring migration at beginning of March and finish end of April, autumn migration start beginning of September and finish at the end of October. Northern Wheatear stayed in spring 1.80 days, Isabelline Wheatear 2.31 days and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 2.14 days, Northern Wheatears? DFL 0.040, Isabelline Wheatear 0.025 and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 0.031, respectively. Northern Wheatear stayed in autumn 3.88 days, Isabelline Wheatear 4.67 days and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 2.56 days, Northern Wheatears? DFL 0.071, Isabelline Wheatear 0.079 and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear 0.03, respectively.There is no differences between species about their stopover durations and mass difference on both spring and autumn migration periods. On the other hand, between spring and autumn, there is significant differences about their stopover durations and mass difference. For this reason, all the coast line of south Turkey, in which important stopover sites for migrants and also the wetlands in other regions of Turkey that are so important for migratory birds especially in migration periods must be protected sensitively. Besides, there is relatively restricted data about stopover ecologies of different species to determine and protect the important areas and also to understand their migration behaviors.KEY WORDS: Ecology, migration, Oenanthe spp., stopover, wheatear.