YRE Competition 2023
1st Place - International Collaboration - Article
11-25 years old
By Aybike Yeşim Eskibozkurt, Ceyda Toğrul, Duru Gülşen, Irmak Gür, Melike Dilmen, Mona Daban, Selin Özel, Zeynep Jadadic, Nika Ermenc, Viktor Kacarski, Brina Vita Mauhar, Mykhailo Olyshevskyi, Petja Rebula, Anže Sitar, Danijel Spasojević and Filip Zemljič
Birds. Sometimes the main image in poetry, sometimes the subject of research in documentaries, sometimes the indicator of changing seasons.
What have the birds been announcing lately?
One day a stork landed on Adem Yılmaz’s boat, which was on the Uluabat Lake in the Eskikaraağaç Village, Turkey. The fisherman wondered if the bird was hungry and fed it fish. After eating, the stork flew away to its nest. Yılmaz did not know where the nest was, but was curious if the stork would visit again. The following day, the stork landed on the boat. This was the start of a twelve-year friendship (1).
After five years of annual visits, the stork was named “Yaren”, which means close friend (1).
Adem Yılmaz and Yaren’s friendship was recorded by the wildlife photographer Alper Tüydeş. Tüydeş and Yılmaz met at the village’s coffeehouse seven years ago (2). Since then, their friendship has spread around the world.
It is estimated that Yaren is 15 years old. Throughout the year, he spends 6 months in Turkey (Eskikaraağaç) and the other 6 months on the African continent (2).
Adem Yılmaz and Yaren Leylek (3). Photo: Alper Tüydeş
Yılmaz reported that he as a fisherman had observed a decrease in the number of storks over the years. He explained that three to five years ago, there were around fifty storks, but now there are only ten. Their feeding grounds are becoming narrower, and the number of the fish in the lake has also decreased.
In Slovenia, several species, including the white stork, have been affected by changing conditions. “For example, since I started working with birds, there have been visible changes that were not present before, which can almost only be attributed to climate change.” says Mr. Basle, an ecologist and conservationist at the Society for the Observation and Study of Birds in Slovenia (DOPPS - Birdlife Slovenia) (4).
Storks spending the winter in Slovenia (5). Photo: Tatjana Cvrtila Ložar
Due to climate change, the land, meadows, and fields are covered by snow for a shorter period of time, leaving them exposed for longer. Basle explains that this is one of the main reasons why storks increasingly choose to stay in Slovenia. Gradually, year by year, storks are ceasing to migrate (4). For them, it becomes almost pointless to migrate as they can find food and stay close to their nests without having to travel long distances. As a result, they return earlier to their nests (6).
The impact of climate change on migration patterns has also been observed in other species, such as Black-tailed Godwit from the Netherlands. After long-term monitoring and reporting, it was found that they now migrate to Slovenia about 14 days earlier than they did 20-30 years ago (4).
Climate change has also led to changes in the migration routes and habits of bird species. The river warbler is no longer seen in Slovenia, but the number of cranes passing through during migration has significantly increased in the last decade. According to Emrah Çoban, the North Nature Association Education Coordinator, climate change has not affected birds that migrate at high-altitudes, but some species that migrate at lower altitudes have shifted their routes up to 400 km to the North (7).
However, perhaps even more damaging than climate change is direct human impact.
The head of OMU Ornithology Research Center, Prof. Sancar Barış (8), and Basle have drawn attention to poaching as one of the biggest threats to migratory birds. A BirdLife study estimated that 25 million birds are shot every year in the Mediterranean. Adem Yılmaz told us that after meeting Yaren, he stopped hunting (1).
On the topic of human impact, all the experts we interviewed pointed out a critical factor: habitat loss. “Declines in migratory birds are often linked to the disappearance or destruction of their habitats and other pressures on migration” (4).
Barış emphasizes that migratory birds need safe accommodations, rest and/or reproduction habitats during and after their journey. Due to human impact, these areas have decreased in quantity and quality. He says, “Although systematic scientific studies are required to define these changes, as the natural habitats have been transformed into agricultural land, urban habitats or touristic areas that are open to human impact; some species are no longer seen or are less common, especially large predators (such as vultures, eagles, kites) bustards, cranes, woodpeckers, partridges and quail” (8).
“Adaptation is a fact of life.” says Çoban. It is natural for the variety and number of bird species to change as they may adapt to climate change by shortening their migration. However, adapting to habitat loss may not be possible as they will not have a place to live. As we divide habitats, their microclimate also changes (7).
According to our questionnaire about bird migration with different age groups from Turkey and Slovenia, 65.8% of 368 people stated that they see fewer birds around now.
So,What should we do?
Birds play a crucial role in our ecosystem by consuming a large number of insects, fruits, seeds, small rodents or carrion, depending on their species (8). For example, during the period when flies appear, very large flocks of swallows pass through all the wetlands, preventing a possible overabundance of flies (2).
Generally, experts agree that preserving natural habitats is the most critical measure we can take, and this involves reducing all kinds of human impact on natural habitats, making them suitable not only for birds but also for all wildlife. On an individual basis, we can make our environment more bird-friendly by, for example, avoiding mowing the grass too often or preserving our shrubs and bushes. However, individual efforts may not be enough.
Therefore, it is essential to fight for climate change and bird conservation within a legal framework by working on necessary legislation and pushing for their implementation. We should raise awareness by publishing information and supporting organizations (9). Systemic recording and following the rules of birdwatching will contribute to the accumulation of scientific information on birds, wildlife, and their habitats (8).
Birds are not only important for ecosystems, but also have cultural and aesthetic significance. We must act immediately to protect them.
As Prof. Sancar Barış puts it: “Who wants a spring without swallows or storks?”
Swallows waiting to migrate (10). Photo: Nika Ermenc
REFERENCES:
(1) Yılmaz, Adem. Interview in person. 18 Mar. 2023.
(2) Tüydeş, Alper. Interview via WhatsApp. 29 Mar. 2023.
(3) Tüydeş, Alper. Adem Yılmaz and Yaren Leylek. 17 Mar. 2023.
(4) Basle, Tilen. Interview via Zoom. 11 Apr. 2023.
(5) Cvrtila Ložar, Tatjana. Storks spending the winter in Slovenia. 31 Mar. 2023.
(6) “Letos v Sloveniji prezimuje največ štorkelj kadarkoli.” https://www.ptice.si/, 13 Dec. 2022, https://www.ptice.si/2022/12/letos-v-sloveniji-prezimuje-najvec-storkelj-kadarkoli/.
(7) Çoban, Emrah. Interview via Zoom. 22 Mar. 2023.
(8) Barış, Sancar. Interview via Mail. 21 Mar. 2023.
(9) “Climate change and migratory birds.” https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/, 11 Jan. 2023, https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2007/index44cb.html.
(10) Ermenc, Nika. Swallows waiting to migrate. 26 Aug. 2022.