Leyla ÖZKAN, Ali ERDOĞAN Population of Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) in Boğazkent, Turkey 2009-2012 Leyla ÖZKAN, Ali ERDOĞAN Akdeniz University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 07058, Antalya, Turkey Abstract: The spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus L.) range throughout most of Africa, the Middle East (Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria etc.) and only the eastern part of the Mediterranean (Turkey and Greece) in Europe. These rare birds for Europe and Turkey have an important population size in this region. Turkey lies on the migration route for many species of migratory birds and for this reason is very important for studies of stopover and breeding ecology. Spur-winged lapwings are a summer visitor for our country and also breed here. Boğazkent/Antalya represents one of the primary breeding areas in Turkey. We aimed to determine population crowded, habitat selection predators and negative impacts about breeding of this species in Boğazkent. Materials and Methods: This study have been done 2009-2012 breeding periods. Observations started beginning of March twice or three times a week to determine the migration phenology. Beginning of April continue to observations (Figure 1 and 2) their breeding behaviours. April, May and June were breeding periods. Adults were catched on their nests after finding nests (Figure 3). We determined clutch size and hatchling number. We banded 39 individuals with metal and colour ring in three years (Figure 4 and 5). Futhermore we determined, it’s habitat selection for breeding. Figure 6. Bunners of individuals Figure 7. Proportion of nests Figure 2. Spurwinged lapwing Figure 1. Spurwinged lapwing Figure 8. a. Grassland, b. Barren c. Field , d. Sanding Conclusion: The predation risk is very high during both breeding and feeding periods. Their nesting on ground and hatchling also always ground therefore they clear predation (Figure 9 and 10). Especially hatchlings mortality is veri high. Human activities, specially plough of the fields affect the destruction of the nests or pairs leave the nests. On the other hand hooded crow, dogs and fox are the most predators (Figure 11). Spur-winged lapwing is under threaten and breeding areas of its must be protected. Probably to protect and to raise the breeding success, the preventions must be executed against to predators and also during ploughing may be people much more carefully. Figure 3. Trapping cage on the nest Figure 4. Ringing Figure 5 a and b. Spur-winged lapwing were banded matel and colour rings Results: Between 2009 and 2012 (only data used from 2010 - 2011 for measurement) In 2009 52 birds (26 pairs), in 2010 60 birds (30 pairs), in 2011 72 birds (36 pairs) and in 2012 67 birds were counted (Figure 6). In addition to, in 2009 17 nests, in 2010 27 nests , 2011 38 nests and 2012 19 nests were found. We also observed banded individuals from last year in the same breeding area. Clutch size was generally 4, but also 2, 3 or 5 eggs (only 2 nests). We observed 10 hatchling in 2009, 23 hatchling 2010 and 18 hatchling 2011. Hatchling number is lower because predation factor is very high in Boğazkent. Specially predators is hooded crow, fox and dogs. Spurwinged lapwing select sanding, grassland, barren and field areas for nesting (Figure 7 and 8 a-d) . Figure 9. Nest Figure 10. Hatchling Figure 11. Predation factors Acknowledgement: This search was supported by Akdeniz University Scientific Search Projects Unit with 2010.03.0121.014 project number. References: Erdoğan, A., Karaardıç, H., Özkan, L. and Karacan, V.A., 2010. Göçmen Kuş Türlerinin Göç Hareketlerinin Kuş Halkalama Metodu Uygulanarak Belirlenmesi Projesi. Antalya, 74 s. Makrigianni, E., Sgardelis, S., Poirazidis, K., Athanasiadis, A. 2008. Breeeding Biology and Nesting Site Selection by The Spur-Winged Plover Hoplopterus Spinosus in The Evros Delta, NE Greece. Journal of Natural History, Vol. 42; 333-344 Özkan, L., Erdoğan, A. and Karaardıç, H., 2010. Mahmuzlu Kızkuşu (Vanellus spinosus ), Tabiat ve insan, 11-15 s. ISSN: 1302-1001. Yogev, A., and Yom-Tow, Y. 1996. Indeterminacy in a Determinate Layer: The Spur-Winged Plover. The Condor 98:858.