Determination Of Ornithological Richness Of Erek Lake Dneme And Bendimahi Deltas VanTurkey In Winter Season And Mapping With Geographic Information System

Basin of Lake Van is very rich in all seasons in terms of ornithology. Birds that find alternative habitats in the basin outside winter season become dense in certain regions. Species and population sizes of water birds in Ercek lake Dneme and Bendimahi Deltas in winter were researched in this study. Bird species and their population sizes were determined as a result of observations covering November-February months of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. As a result of two-year winter counts a total of 7563 individuals belonging to 20 species were counted in Dneme Delta 2489 individuals were counted in Erek Lake and Coot Fulica atra was determined as dominant species in both areas. A total of 1623 individuals belonging to 20 species were counted in Bendimahi Delta and Mallard Anas platyrhynchos was determined as dominant species. A total of 54 individuals from Common Pochard Aythya ferina species in VU Vulnerable category were counted in Bendimahi Delta according to International IUCN Red List criteria. Population densities of 5 different habitats in the area were determined and numerical thematic distribution maps were created by being processed in ArcMap 10.2.