KUŞKOR | Looking out for birds in North Cyprus

Our Projects

Have a look at the projects implemented by KUŞKOR

OUR PROJECTS

Take a look at the most up to date projects implemented by KUŞKOR.

These projects are a product of a team work between funders, KUŞKOR members and volunteers.

We would like to thank European Union, Ornithological Society of the Middle East and Municipality of Beyarmudu for their financial contributions, KUŞKOR members for their belief in our mission and in particular our volunteers for all of their selfless support. Additionally we wish to thank the TRNC Presidency for supporting our annual stall at the UK Bird Fair.

PROJECTS

CAMPAIGN TO STOP TURTLE DOVE HUNTING IN NORTH CYPRUS

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur has a long lasting cultural significance for humans in Europe and Asia. It found a place in local lyrics and in religious songs. However, at the same time, it has long been hunted as food through almost all of its range. Turtle dove breeds through Europe and West Asia, yet almost its entire population migrates south to mid-Africa for winter. Its widely distributed breeding population migrates to a relatively narrow wintering range mostly converging on the Mediterranean.

RETURNING ROLLERS TO MESARYA PLAIN

European Roller Coracias garrulous is a widespread summer visitor to much of Europe where over half or it’s breeding range lies, where it is thought to have declined leading to its designation as Vulnerable by the IUCN. As a cavity nester, Roller distribution is largely tied to availability of nest sites within its range. In North Cyprus, Roller are typically associated with the Karpaz Peninsula and the North Coast where habitats are favourable for their nesting due to the availability of cavities in old trees, moreover we recently determined these two sites as IBAs for the protection of this species among others. However, other potential breeding sites of the species, such as Mesarya Plain, were overlooked.

AUDOUIN’S GULL MONITORING AND CONSERVATION IN CYPRUS

Larus audouinii, also known as Audouin’s Gull, is classified as ‘near threatened’ by Birdlife International due to its small population, limited range and vulnerability. Regions where the species have more than 20 nests are declaredas Important Bird Areas. Although foraging grounds of Audouin’s Gull include the northwest coastlines of Africa during winter, its breeding grounds are almost entirely within the Mediterranean Region. Ebro Delta of Spain contains the largest colony; harbouring nearly 67% of itsbreeding population worldwide. Detailed information exists about the distribution, numbers and ecology of birds breeding in the Western Mediterranean Region, but we know little about their state in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus. Cyprus hosts the eastern most breeding population known to this date. The only consistent breeding region in the island is the Kleides Islands off the Cape Andreas in North Cyprus.

BONELLI’S EAGLE MONITORING PROJECT IN NORTH CYPRUS

The Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciatus has a wide global distribution extending from Spain, through southern Europe and across central Asia into China. The European population of the Bonelli’s Eagle is relatively small. Over 80% of this population is concentrated in far western Europe (Spain and Portugal), with other small populations of between 1 and 40 pairs distributed across other North Mediterranean countries. Considering the marked decline in the European Bonelli’s Eagle population, particularly affecting its Spanish stronghold during the late 20th century, the remaining smaller, isolated populations across the Mediterranean such as Cyprus have become more valuable to the sustainability of the species globally, particularly in providing connectivity between the Asian and Spanish strongholds. The species is therefore listed on Annex I of the EU Wild Birds Directive, Appendix II of the Bern and Bonn Conventions as well as CITES Convention.

KUKLA WETLANDS BIRDWATCHING CENTER

Eastern Mesarya Plain is a vast and mainly flat area. Most of it is generally characterised by large agricultural fields interspersed with olive/carob/almond etc plots, and eucalyptus windbreaks that mark the territory. A network of streams and ditches drain the area in winter and are usually dry in summer. In the spring the fields are green and colourful with flowers, in the summer the harvested barley and wheat fields are scorched by the sun, and the brown colour of the earth predominates. This general structure of the habitat is indicative of the land management of the region. It has always been exploited by agricultural activities and the plains are well known for their agricultural richness as the “bread basket of Cyprus”. With this project we are planning to expose a rather different and until recently, much-overlooked aspect of the region: its natural value.

INSTAGRAM POSTS

CONTACT US

Address: Ulus Sok. Levent Apt. No:1/1, Gönyeli, Lefkoşa, Kuzey Kıbrıs, 99150, via Mersin 10, Türkiye
Phone: 0542 881 37 50
0548 886 86 84
Email: info@kuskor.org