A study on the distribution and population status of the Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus l. 1758) in the Van lake basin

Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 25 - 32, 30.06.2017

Erkan Azizoglu , Ozdemir Adizel

https://doi.org/10.20863/nsd.305159

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Objective: In this
study, it is aimed to determine the migratory status, population volume,
stop over sites, threats and daily relocation activity in the Van Lake Basin.

Material
and Methods: This study grounds on the observation
data of 2015 about Whooper Swan that spends the winter in the Van
Lake Basin. The observations were conducted by Point Counts method in the 6 areas
which the species are intensively seen. The data was analyzed with the help of IDW
(Inverse Distance Weighting) interpolation and point density methods in the Arcmap
10.2 program.

Results: It was
seen that The Whooper Swan came into the Van Lake Basin mostly at the last week
of November and left at the last week of March. It is a Winter visitor species that
spends about 4 months in the area. However it was seen in many points of the area,
it is seen that it lodges in mostly 6 points. During the study, at the beginning
of the winter totally 240 individuals were detected as follows; 71 individuals at
Arin Lake – the maximum, 63 ones in Yaylıyaka reeds, 52 ones in Göründü reeds, 23
ones in Çelebibağ Reeds, 17 ones in Dönemeç Delta, and 14 ones in Bendimanhi Delta.
At the end of the winter, the maximum number of individuals in the whole basin was
recorded as 172. 

Conclusion: At the beginning
of the winter 2015, totally 240 individuals were counted in the basin. But it was
seen that the number decreased to 172 towards the spring migration. Then there showed
up a conclusion that totally 68 individuals (28.34%) in the basin had been perished
because of various causes and could not have a chance to return to their breeding
sites. It was realized that there happened a population reduction in the basin when
compared with the bypast studies related to the species. It was presented that hunters,
foxes and dogs were the most important role perishing the species. It was detected
that the species spends the night along the shore line considered as safe and feed
at shallow spaces along the shore. The performed study confirmed once more the Whooper
Swan overwinters in the Van Lake Basin. Furthermore the study revealed the species
should be protected by scientific data. 

Keywords

Whooper Swan, Cygnus cygnus, Arcmap 10.2, Van Lake Basin, Arin Lake

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