The reproductive and breeding success of wader species is negatively affected by various anthropogenic factors, including persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs). We aimed to study the association of POPs in feathers with the reproductive success of the spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus). For this purpose, data on reproductive parameters and feather samples were collected from a breeding population consisting of 19 pairs near Boğazkent district in Antalya, Turkey. Mean concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (ΣOCPs) were found to be 54 ± 16 ng/g and 520 ng/g in all samples, respectively. In particular, PCB 151 and β-hexachlorocyclohexane had a negative association the various reproductive parameters in the species under consideration. Fledgling success (n = 25) was calculated to be 37.4%, which was negatively associated with the ΣOCP concentrations (r = - 0.99, p = 0.01). According to the results, POP residues are one of the associated factors on the reproductive success of spur-winged lapwing along, with agricultural activity and predation. It is indicated that the species needs a protection plan for prevention declining reproductive success and population size species in Turkey. Besides, our results suggest that bird feathers are a non-destructive bio-monitoring tools to estimate of contamination levels of organic pollutants in a population.

The residues of persistent organochlorinated pollutants (POPs), namely polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) (HCHs, CHLs, HCCPs, DDTs, and dicofol congeners) were investigated in the hair and muscle of road-killed Erinaceus roumanicus and E. concolor in Turkey. Mean residue levels were as follows: in hair, PCBs = 7.43 ± 4.88 ng/g and OCPs = 9.21 ± 1.27 ng/g; in muscle, PCBs = 30.73 ± 2.51 ng/g and OCPs = 145.04 ± 16.59 ng/g. There was no significant difference between species and sex, while there was significant difference between habitats and regions in terms of either total PCB and OCP levels, or POP levels (p < 0.05). Age was a determinative factor for the bio-accumulation of POPs. The contaminant levels were high in the species, sample areas, and habitats. The data also showed that tissues of hedgehogs are suitable for monitoring and evaluating the bioaccumulation of POP levels in Turkey.

The use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has decreased considerably worldwide; they have been banned in most countries due to adverse impacts on wildlife. The purpose of the study was to investigate OCP residue levels in wild birds from Aegean, Marmara, Mediterranean, and Central Anatolia geographical regions of Turkey. Feather samples (n = 80) of four bird species in four regions were collected from anthropogenically dead birds such as roadkill and wind turbine collision. Feather samples were analysed using GC/MS and scanned for 23 pesticide congeners. Analysis results showed dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD), and their derivatives were present in almost all samples at high levels. Regions and birds differed significantly as well as among themselves in terms of total residue levels (P < 0.05). The Marmara region (36.257 ng/g) and the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (55.109 ng/g) had the highest residue levels compared with others. The study shows that OCP residues reach a considerable level in birds and other wild threatened species populations. The results also indicate that the feather can be used for terrestrial pesticide monitoring as a nondestructive method.

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Nest-site characteristics and nest-site selection in a forest population of common blackbird was investigated in an area of 200 ha in Eskişehir's Meşelik black pine forest during the spring of 2013. Within this framework, 36 nests were found in total: 31 of them were new and the rest (N = 5) were old. The nest-site characteristic parameters were measured in centimeters and nest tree species were recorded. According to the results, it was concluded that all of the nests were made on the stem of the nest tree at the widest part of the tree. Common blackbirds in the study area chose juniper to nest in most frequently, with 66.7% of the total. The density of the blackbird territory in the area was found to be 1.27 ha/nest. The mean ± SD distance between the nests was measured as 30.52 ± 7.5 m. In light of these findings, when the study results were analyzed, it was stipulated that common blackbirds in the investigation area have similar nest-site characteristics.