Modelling migration of soaring birds

Abstract

Many bird species are migrating in order to benefit from the global temperature differences and to optimize food supply and offspring breeding. Various ornithologists have studied the migration at the Black Sea coast. However, fewer studies and analyzes are available regarding migration at the Bulgarian coast of the Danube River. The present work analyzes data from the monitoring of the autumn migration of birds on the territory of Persina Nature Park. It includes data from two observation points - on the island of Persina, at the southeast end of the Peschina Swamp, and on the territory of the Kaikusha Protected Site. For the purpose of the current analysis, only migratory soaring birds are taken into account, which includes 1337 birds of prey and 1267 waterbirds. The impact of climate factors on the number of migratory birds of prey and waterbirds is examined. Factors include information regarding the observation point, time intervals, temperature, wind (direction and speed), cloudiness (percentage and type) and visibility. Correlation and factor analysis are performed and decision trees are built separately for birds of prey and waterbirds. A comparative analysis of the results is made.Many bird species are migrating in order to benefit from the global temperature differences and to optimize food supply and offspring breeding. Various ornithologists have studied the migration at the Black Sea coast. However, fewer studies and analyzes are available regarding migration at the Bulgarian coast of the Danube River. The present work analyzes data from the monitoring of the autumn migration of birds on the territory of Persina Nature Park. It includes data from two observation points - on the island of Persina, at the southeast end of the Peschina Swamp, and on the territory of the Kaikusha Protected Site. For the purpose of the current analysis, only migratory soaring birds are taken into account, which includes 1337 birds of prey and 1267 waterbirds. The impact of climate factors on the number of migratory birds of prey and waterbirds is examined. Factors include information regarding the observation point, time intervals, temperature, wind (direction and speed), cloudiness (percentage and ...