Gavdos is the 1st stop for migratory birds

According to a recent announcement by the Organisation of the Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA), the bird ringing program began in March and lasted approximately two and a half months.

On the island of Gavdos, which is the southernmost part of Europe, 4,014 migratory birds from 75 different species were ringed this year for the spring season.

This is the seventh year that ringing has been carried out on Gavdos, following an effort started by the head ringer—ornithologist of the MFIK, Mrs Milica Ivovic, from 2002 to 2005 and continued from 2021 onwards with funding from the former National Forest of Samaria—Western Crete and now OFYPEKA.

As OFYPECA writes in its announcement, Gavdos offers unique data on the journey of migratory birds from Africa, as it is their first stop. Thus, experts can study their physical condition after crossing the open sea and transmitting pathogenic microorganisms from Africa to Europe.

Ringings, one of the most important scientific methods for collecting these data, were carried out this year in Gavdos by 25 scientists and volunteers from the Natural History Museum of Crete (MFIK), with funding from OFYPEKA.

What makes Gavdos special?

Gavdos, located south of Crete, the southernmost part of Europe, is the first stop of migratory birds on their journey. It is a rocky island that BirdLife International has designated as an important bird area.

The island has forests of pines and cedars, as well as a variety of other plants, such as maquis and phrygana. The Hellenic Ornithological Society's page lists the species of birds that can be encountered in Gavdos.

As OFYPEKA explains, Gavdos attracts birds heading north during the spring migration, as it is the first land they reach after a flight of at least six hours over the open sea from Africa.

The island attracts many birds with different habitat needs, such as waders and predatory species. In addition to acting as a refuelling stop, Gavdos also acts as an emergency landing site in case of bad weather for birds heading directly to Crete.

Which species were ringed?

According to OFYPECA's announcement, during this year's spring migration to Gavdos, 4,014 birds from 75 different species were ringed, 12 of which were ringed for the first time on the island.

Two species, the Erimopyrroulas and the Western Vounophylloscopos, are considered extremely rare in Greece. In addition, three ringed birds from three foreign countries—Czechia, Slovakia, and Italy—were trapped.

The results of the ringing program will be used by the Management Unit of the Samaria National Park and Western Crete Protected Areas to improve the management of the Natura 2000 network areas.

Study of zoonoses

Considering their location, the islands of the South Aegean are the first stops for many zoonotic diseases entering Europe through birds and their ectoparasites, such as ticks.

"Ringings are important for because biological material and parasite samples are now being obtained to be used for control, monitoring and early warning of emerging zoonoses, an issue that is currently of great concern to the scientific community and is part of the EU's One Health approach," said Petros Lymperakis, head of the Migration Laboratory of the MFIK and scientific manager of the project.

Stella Panopoulou is a columnist for To Pet Mou.

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