The continual and long term interaction of hunters with nature and wild life makes hunters the prime users of this natural resource and they have an in-depth understanding of the importance of conserving natural variety and health in ecosystems. As a consequence, this provides a fundamental motivation as well as an obligation for the Hunting Associations of this country and they carry out activities for the conservation and enhancement of many significant habitats.

Over the last 50 years, a serious consequence of human intervention in nature is the deterioration of natural habitats which also has a great impact on game habitats.

The main reasons relating directly to the deterioration of natural habitats and the loss of biodiversity, are the fragmentation of habitats, the non sustainable nature of productive activity like agriculture, climate change, ground, water and air pollution and the introduction of invasive foreign species. The hunter, as harvester of nature and, therefore, direct administrator of this natural resource, has an obvious interest in reversing this phenomenon.

The improvement of habitats constitutes one of the most important activities carried out by the Greek Hunting Association, since protecting natural habitats and species through the body of gamekeepers are found to be core priorities of the two most important European Directives: the Bird Directive (79/409) and the Directive of Habitats (92/43).

In contrast to other environmental organizations in Greece, which remain entrenched in theory and inactivity, the Greek Hunting Association (GHA) is the only organization which has implemented an organized nationwide programme to improve habitats from 2005, with its own resources and without state funding. In this way, it has shown in practice that the role of hunting organizations and hunters does not stop at the end of the hunting season, but continues throughout the year, with projects and activities.

Through Hunting Federations and Hunting Associations, the GHA implements the Habitat Improvement Programme, filling the gap which has been left by the state and funding projects and activities which are implemented by Hunting Associations all over Greece.

The aim of these projects and interventions in habitats is: a) the identification and restriction of factors (e.g. limited available food, minimal stored water etc.), which hinder survival and growth of a game population in its habitat, and b) the creation of suitable conditions in a habitat, so that it can receive and support a number of freed game birds.

Game keepers from Hunting organizations and hunters voluntarily participate in the implementation of annual activities to improve habitats

The most important interventions which are carried out are:

  • Sowing
  • Installing natural hedges
  • Planting fruit trees
  • Reforestation
  • Installation of drinking troughs
  • Cultivation of resources
  • Raising and freeing endemic game

Technical Guide to Improving Habitats

The programme In Greece focuses on 5 species which are subject to different conditions. The species are:

  • Blackbird (Tudrus merula): endemic/indigineous – overwintering – migratory
  • Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos): partly endemic – overwintering – migratory
  • Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus): endemic – overwintering – migratory
  • Field Fare (Turdus pilaris):endemic – migratory
  • Redwing (Turdus iliacus): overwintering –migratory

To observe the migration of these 5 species of cichlids, a method evaluated and approved by the French National Observatory of Wild Life and Habitats (ONFSH, 2004) is used and is described as the recording of song in the Blackbird, Song Thrush and Redwing during their night-time movements.

For these observations, 5 bio-acoustic stations were positioned (Telinga Pro type Pip. 4) along principal known migratory paths in Greece. The stations operated all night from 23.00 until 03.00 the next day from 1st January until 31st March. The bio-acoustic stations were placed at suitable points to avoid confusion with overwintering birds and in regions with good acoustics (far from busy roads, airports etc.). The digital cassettes were recorded by wild life specialists and the data was recorded on special IMPCF recording forms.

The ensuing data from hourly recordings every night were then fed into a data base. The date of the pre-nuptial migration is determined from the number of song recordings per hour per night throughout the study period. In addition, the beginning of migration and the various “pics” which appear in succession according to the birds’ origin can also be determined.

The choice of observation points for the Cichlids was made according to the following strict criteria:

  • Zones known to be on Cichlid migratory paths and, where possible, not supporting overwintering populations.
  • Five bio-acoustic stations constitute a satisfactory number.
  • With the most comprehensive geographic coverage of Greece (regions, identified migratory paths etc) in order to elicit results of national significance. These stations were positioned on a “south-west/north- east axis”, a main axis of migratory return so that actual migratory movement can be clearly distinguished from domestic movement. To achieve this, altitude was chosen with care, so that there would be no confusion with local movement (from mountain to plain).
  • For the extraction of valid results, stations were chosen where there was zero overwintering, so that true migratory movement in birds could be recorded. These stations included precipitous shores and hills known for their paths.

The position of the bio-acoustic stations for observation of migrating Cichlids in Greece, mentioned above, based on the literature to date and the known migratory paths for the species in Greece are as follows:

  • LEFKADA: Actium
  • MESOLONGHI
  • ATTICA: Kalentzi Marathon
  • EVIA: Kimi
  • EVIA: Drosia Chalchida

The Hunting Confederation of Greece decided to implement the research programme “Phenology of migration in aquatic and coastal birds in Greece” to achieve two aims: (i) To determine the dates of pre-nuptial migration of aquatic and coastal birds from Greek territory toward breeding grounds, so that the authorities concerned could take decisions and administrative measures based on scientific facts relating to hunting activity. (ii) To provide scientifically documented knowledge on the bird population of Greece, as provided for by Hunting Association statutes which state the administration and conservation of the environment as a fundamental aim.

The methodology of the programme was determined based on a wealth of scientific papers, advice from professors of ecology and fauna methodology in Greece, the OMPO organisation (the Institute of Migrating Birds of the Western Palearctic), and IMPCF (the Mediterranean Institute of Hunting Heritage and Fauna) and the significant document “79/409 Directive” (Article 7, paragraph 4, subparagraph 3),

Determining the phenology of migration in aquatic birds requires records of birds in significant habitats for the species. For this reason, particularly significant habitats all over Greece were chosen and this project was entrusted to specialised observers, having ensured that each of them would assume his job with responsibility. The success of this operation was grounded in the best possible choice of observers involved in the programme, who had to complete a required number of training sessions before observations began.

Priority was given to wetlands all over Greece, known for their significance in terms of bird population, but also for the fact that they were representative of the species under study. More specifically, the choice of the 22 wetlands was made based on the following criteria:

i.    Wetlands noteworthy for aquatic bird populations during their migration period.
ii.     Wetlands able to sustain a satisfactory number of the species being studied.
iii.     Easily and safely accessible wetlands for observers at all observation stations for the duration of the period of research.
iv.     Relatively small wetlands (ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand square metres) where records would be considered complete.
v.     Larger wetlands (a few hundred acres to a few thousand acres) where a number of observations could be made from one or more observation posts to be chosen with particular care and distributed throughout the habitat. A necessary prerequisite is that observations be carried out methodically in the same manner each time and in exactly the same position, for the duration of the study so that the results are valid.
The method of observation was determined according to the following strict criteria:
i.     A predetermined list of species to be observed in all habitats where the programme is being carried out.
ii.     A responsible person to be appointed for every habitat and a substitute for him, as well as a number of observers per habitat (1,2,3 or 4).
iii.     Organised training sessioins to acquaint every observer with the work he will be undertaking and to ascertain his ability to identify and record bird species. The sheet for recording numbers of birds and the sheet for describing the birds at each wetland are presented at these training sessions. Following that, demonstrations of the observation procedure are held and each observer is evaluated so that uniform comparison of data in all habitats can be made.
iv.     Observation of pre-breeding migration of the birds under study is carried out during the period 1st January until 30th April every year for the duration of the study.
v.     The observation of post-breeding migration of the birds being studied is carried out during the period from 1st July until 31st December every year for the duration of the study.
vi.     Observation dates are allocated so that one observation can be made during each of the three ten-day periods every month for all the months of the study. Saturday is the chosen day for observation so that if it is impossible to carry out the observation, it can be effected the following day, on Sunday.
vii.     Recording is always carried out in favourable weather conditions, preferably in the morning with the sun behind the observer and when birds are quiet. On the whole, the first hour after sunrise is not ideal for observation as ducks are still in motion.
viii.     Weather forecasts are monitored so that every observation can be scheduled accordingly. For example, if a recording is scheduled for Saturday and the weather forecast predicts rain, the observation can be carried out the day before, on Friday, if the weather for that day is favourable, or, similarly, it could be delayed until Sunday. If all else fails, the observation can be delayed until Monday. In any event, the next scheduled observation is not changed. If the weather forecast predicts bad weather on all these days, the observer should wait at his observation post for a fairly long time so that he can make use of a temporary improvement in the weather during the day. Under no circumstances should a recording be missed during a 15 day period
ix.     If an unexpected event, such as a disturbance amongst the birds, hinders a reading, then the observer should wait for a restoration of normal conditions or come back the next day to make his observation.
x.     The person responsible for each observation post is made fully aware of the characteristics of the habitat before scheduled recordings begin. The aim is for observations to be made as accurately as possible and for them to include all the species under study frequenting the habitat. For this reason, the place or places from which the observer will make recordings are predetermined so that all the species under study are recorded, as mentioned above. It is evident, therefore, that the correct positioning of an observation post is of utmost importance.
xi.     If, for some reason, the observer is unable to make a recording, he notifies the person in charge of the area in good time so that the reading can be made by a substitute.
xii.     The observer uses equipment for visual observation (binoculars, telescope) and records the birds according to the method indicated during the training sessions. He uses the lowest possible telescopic zoom lens in order to observe the largest possible number of birds simultaneously. The surface area of the water is slowly scanned from left to right or from right to left so that all the birds forming the subject of the observer’s study can be identified and counted.
xiii.     All the birds which have been positively identified are recorded. Species not identified are not recorded. All the birds under study and which are present in the habitat are recorded, irrespective of their behaviour (birds on the surface of the water, birds in flight arriving at the observation post, birds leaving the observation post due to disturbance).
xiv.     Birds flying above the observation post without showing interest in the habitat (e.g. a flock at a great height) constitute subject for comment, but are not recorded as their point of origin and destination are unknown.
xv.     The observations and data collected (species, number and other relevant information) in the field, are recorded on the record sheet. It is made clear that a record sheet should be completed for every observation post in each habitat. If there is only one observer in a habitat, there is only one record sheet. If an observer has been assigned to more than one observation post (and, as a result, there is more than one observer) for complete recording of a significant habitat, the result will be as many record sheets per reading as there are observers at the respective observation posts. During the next stage, the data is transferred to an appropriately configured ACCESS data base.

The habitats shown below are the ones chosen for the implementation of the recording programme as they fulfil the requirements analytically referred to above and which meet the criteria according to the needs of the programme. The number and name of the observer responsible for recording data in each habitat are shown in the following chart:

 

Α/Α

Habitat

Wetland where observation carried out

Total number of observations per wetland

1

EVROS

Delta of Evros River

4

2

BISTONIDA & PORTO LAGOS

Lake system Bistonida & Porto Lagos

2

3

KERKINI

Artificial lake of Kerkini

3

4

VOLVI & KORONIA

Connected lakes of Volvi & Koronia

3

5

AXIOS

Delta of the Axios River

3

6

KALAMAKI

Lake region of Karla - Tamieftira Kalamaki

2

7

NAMATA

Lake region of Karla - Tamieftira Niamata

2

8

AMVRAKIKOS

River Estuary of Louros River and Lagoon in Amvrakikos Bay

4

9

KALAMAS

Delta of the Kalama River

1

10

MESOLONGI

Louros & Aitoliko Region Mesolongi Lagoon

2

11

SPERXEIOS

Estuaries of Sperxeios River & Maliakos Bay

1

12

PARALIMNI

Paralimni Lake in Evia

1

13

SCHOINIA

Schoinia Lagoon in Attica

1

14

EVIA

Istiaia Lagoon in Evia

1

15

KALLONI

Kalloni Bay in Lesbos

1

16

ALYKI

Alyki Lagoon in Limnos

1

17

KOTYCHI

Kotychi Lagoon in Achaia

1

18

PALOVA

Dibari Gialova Lagoon in Pylos

1

19

STYMFALIA

Stymfalia Lake in Corinth

1

20

EYROTAS

Delta of Eurota River

1

21

AGIA XANIA

Artificial Lake in Agia Xania

1

22

BRAMIANA

Artificial lakes at river dams – Bramiana Lake and Ierapetra Lake

1

Even though a very large number of migratory shorebirds and waterbirds can be seen in the most significant wetlands in Greece, 27 species were chosen to be recorded for the purposes of the programme “Phenology of migratory birds in Greece”. Of those, 16 are game birds and 11 non-game birds, as is shown in detail in the following chart:

 

HUNTED SPECIES

Class

Family

Greek name

Latin name

English name

ANSERIFORMES

Anatidae

White fronted goose

Anser albifrons

Greater white-fronted goose

Stachtohina

Anser anser

Greylag goose

(European) Sfirichtari

Anas penelope

Eurasian wigeon

(Kapaklis) Fliaropapia

Anas strepera

Gadwall

(European) Kirkiri

Anas crecca

Eurasian teal

Greenheaded duck

Anas platyrhynchos

Mallard

(Northern Scissors) Spit Duck

Anas acuta

Northern pintail

(European) Sarsela

Anas querquedula

Garganey

(Eurasian) Choulariopapia

Anas clypeata

Northern shoveler

(Gisari) Hunting duck

Aythya ferina

Common pochard

(Black headed duck) Tsiknopapia

Aythya fuligula

Tufted duck

GRUIFORMES

Rallidae

Water hen

Gallinula chloropus

Common moorhen

(Common) Falarida

Fulica atra

Eurasian coot

CHARADRIIFORMES

Charadriidae

Kalimana

Vanellus vanellus

Northern lapwing

Scolopacidae

Bekatsini

Gallinago gallinago

Common snipe

SPECIES NOT HUNTED

Class

Family

Greek name

Latin name

English name

CICONIIFORMES

Threskiornithidae

(Eurasian) Chouliaromita

Platalea leucorodia

Eurasian spoonbill

ANSERIFORMES

Anatidae

Horafohina

Anser fabalis

Taiga Bean-goose

Red goose or Red Throat goose

Branta ruficolis

Red-breasted goose

Chestnut duck

Tadorna ferruginea

Ruddy shellduck

Barbara

Tadorna tadorna

Common shellduck

(Eurasian) Ferentini or Ropalopapia

Netta rufina

Red-crested pochard

(European) Marshduck

Aythya nyroca

Ferruginous duck

(European) Kefaloudi

Oxyura leucocephala

White-headed duck

CHARADRIIFORMES

Haematopodidae

(European) Oyster-eater

Haematopus ostralegus

Eurasian oystercatcher

Recurvirostridae

Kalomochanos

Himantopus himantopus

Black-winged stilt

(European) Avoketa

Recurvirostra avosetta

Pied avocet

Charadriidae

Silver bird

Pluvialis squatarola

Grey plover

The Woodcock presents in Greece as an overwintering migrant. The method chosen to determine the migration period took this biological peculiarity into account. Recording this species by simple observation is not as easy as in other birds because of its particular biological characteristics. Indirect methods need to be used to determine its migratory pattern.

In France, specialist hunters (National Club of Woodcock Hunters CNB) use an observation system for the species which uses an Hunting Abundance Index (HAI) during the hunting season (HAI = number of different birds which take off during a three hour search period using the same search intensity). The same system was used in Greece with teams of specialist hunters accompanied by their dogs in pre-determined reference positions, using the IHA index. In this way, and to determine migration, observation lasted a long time and continued beyond the hunting season. The research positions were determined (26 of them for satisfactory statistical analysis) all over Greece, in relation to overwintering regions and areas of passage and data was recorded once a fortnight from the second fortnight in October until the end of November and from 1st January until 31st March every year. In this way, the changes in the HAI during this period define the departure of the wintering birds or the arrival of the migratory birds which overwinter in more southerly regions. When deciding on the distribution of the research positions in Greece, the main known migratory paths were taken into account, as was altitude (so that local movement would not be confused with real migratory movement).

These regions are spread all over the country and are found on known migratory paths, where it is certain that woodcock will be spotted and are shown in the following chart.

 

α/α

Region

Type of Vegetation

Altitude

1

Laerma (Rhodes)

Pine

500

2

Avgonyma (Chios)

Pine / Holly

500

3

Aetos (Messinia)

Holly / Oak

700

4

Chrysovitsi (Tripoli)

Spruce / Oak

1000

5

Oakwood Folois (Kapelis) Hlia

Oak

600

6

Paros

Skinos / brushwood / Akethros

200

7

Telethrio – St. Athanasios (S. Evia)

Oak / Arbutus

500

8

Mount Tsimpra-Nerotribia (Central Evia)

Pine / Arbutus / Holm Oak

700

9

Arakynthos (Aitolo/nias)

Oak

800

10

Neochori (Domokou)

Oak

700

11

Gazi (Ksiromerou)

Pine / Spruce/ Beech/ Fern

900- 1300

12

Ompores (Evia)

Oak / Heather/ Arbutus

400

13

Strinilia (Corfu)

Holly

750

14

Giftocampos (Ioannina)

Beech / Spruce / Pine

900

15

Vrosina – Ksexoro (Thesprotia)

Holly / Oak

400

16

Vrontou (Drama)

Oak / Holly

1200

17

Protokklisi (Evros)

Oak

300

18

Tsali (Ksanthi)

Oak

1300

19

St. Sotira (Deskati)

Oak

800

20

Leptocaria (Evros)

Oak

700

21

Mavroplagia (Kilkis)

Oak

700 - 800

22

N. Sevastia (Chalkidiki)

Oak / Holly

500

23

Upper Ktimeni (Karditsa)

Oak

600

24

Azoros (Elassona)

Oak / Holly / Fern

1000

25

Omolio (Kisavo)

Oak / Holly

750

26

Kofi (Almyro)

Oak

600

 

Trained Woodcock hunters, accompanied by hunting tracker dogs carry out a search every year to track down and record the number of Woodcock over a 3 hour period. Two hunters, accompanied by 2 – 3 dogs are sufficient to record the number of Woodcock in each region. Every sighting of a Woodcock is recorded on a special sheet and the Hunting Abundance Index (HAI) is worked out from these data, per expedition, month and region. An essential prerequisite is that the same people and dogs carry out this job every time in the same area. They must search for birds with the same intensity as on other occasions throughout the expedition. It is also necessary that they are trained at the beginning of each programme when all details of the method are explained to them as well as how to complete the record sheet for each region and expedition.

The period for observations has been determined as being from the second fortnight in October until the end of November every year and from 1st January until 31st March in the following year. An expedition is carried out every fortnight of each month for the whole period when recordings are made.

The data ensuing from this research, together with meteorological data and conditions prevailing during the expedition, are fed into a data base and reveal the period when the greatest number of birds appear, from which the migratory season can be determined.

In 2005, one of the most extensive programmes in Europe began with the scientific guidance of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, in cooperation with the Mediterranean Institute of Hunting Heritage and Fauna (IMPCF) and the Institute of Migrating Birds of the Western Palearctic (OMPO).

The aim of the programme was to determine the migration period of birds wintering or stopping in Greece, whether they are coming from or going to their breeding areas and the factors impacting on this. Today, knowledge of the migration period is a prerequisite for the determination of the hunting period.

This programme is of enormous significance and monitors and records migrating birds from Evros to Crete and from Mytilene to Amvrakikos.

It is a scientific programme studying the phenology of migration: (i) of aquatic and coastal birds, (ii) the woodcock, (iii) and cichlids (thrushes and blackbirds) and operates on 3 axes.
The term “phenology” refers to the science of occurrence, or presence, of certain events. More specifically, phenology is the science of recording moments in time when cyclic repetitive life events present themselves in the life of every living organism.

Consequently, phenology studies are carried out on plants as well as animals. For example, plants are studied to see when the first leaves, flowers or fruits or the last flowers appear , the way seeds are dispersed, and how colour change occurs in leaves etc. In animals, phenology is concerned with periods when they mate, are pregnant, give birth, raise their young, hibernate, moult and, most importantly, the phenomenon of migration, especially in birds.

For migrating birds, the time when they arrive in wintering areas, the duration of overwintering, the time when migration towards nesting grounds begins, their arrival in breeding areas, recording of numbers of every species and environmental parameters comprise the key to understanding reproductive success, survival and the health of populations in each case.

By combining the study of all the above factors , phenology provides a picture of bird migration in the modern world. In the last decade, in particular, where climatic change has brought changes to many aspects in the phenology of migrating birds, as recorded by top scientists in many scientific papers, the need for detailed records of phenology in migrating birds is imperative for the comprehension of this complex phenomenon, and also for the proposal of correct administrative measures in every case.