Avifauna of Diyarbakır-Kralkızı (Dicle) and Diyarbakır-Dicle (Eğil) dams

SUMMARY This study was carried out at Kralkızı (Dicle) and Dicle (E^l) Dams and its near surroundings which are located north of Diyarbakır city centre (37° 55' N, 40° 12' E). To observe the bird species in the region, ornithologically observations were performed between February 2000 - February 2002. During the study period 62 excursions to Kralkızı Dam and 60 excursions to Dicle Dam were realized. Two different routes have been followed for each excursion and the bird species that observed on each route have been included to the study. The observations were made one day in a week during reproduction season, and once in two weeks at the other times for each study area. Each observation was started in early mornings and continued until afternoons. Study areas were consisted of the dam coast, agricultural fields on the route of dams and the mountainous areas near reservoir areas. During study whole areas were observed regularly with field glasses, telescope or without any instrument and some species has been photographed. In the study region 163 bird species of 16 order and 44 different families, 84 of them belonging to Passeriformes group, 79 of them belonging to Non-passeriformes group were determined. According to our findings, it was ascertained that 35 of these species are native at our region, 28 of them winter visitor, 58 summer migrant, and 38 are transitory migrants. The states of 4 species could not be explained fully. 55 of species that were observed in the study region were certainly breeding, 42 were probably breeding, and 66 species were using the region during winter period or migration periods for nourishing or resting. It was proved that a total number of 90 species are under threat of danger, according to Red Data Book cntenons, 6 of these are at the categories of A1.2., 21 of A2., 32 of A3., 24 of A4., 4 of B.2., and the remaining 3 species at B.3. According to data of IUCN-2000 Red List of Threatened Species, 3 of the defined species the region are globally under threat. In this study general information is given for species identified in the region. However, seasonal status, breeding status and maximal counts were given in tables. We compared this study with other studies that were made in the past by different researcher and some species that were reported as existing in the region were not observed during our study period. Moreover, some species that were determined during our study were not mentioned by other researcher and these are first record from the region. Some ornithological maps were examined and some differences were seen about bird species in our region. Besides, ornithological importance of the area stated and some suggestions were made regarding to protection and existence of bird species.