Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2010
Both breeding and midwinter populations of the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca are in decline throughout Europe. As part of an action plan for the species currently being prepared, a comprehensive Turkish site inventory was made. The Turkish breeding and midwinter populations (500–600 pairs and 0–1,500 birds respectively) are amongst the most important in Europe but have been subject to significant and probably long-term declines. Of 25 breeding sites identified in this study, only 10 are considered to hold more than 10 pairs, seven are probably no longer suitable and the rest probably all support fewer than five pairs. Thirty-one localities have held birds in winter but of these 18 have been unoccupied in the 1990s. Significant numbers appear to remain in Turkey only during particularly mild winters. Measures for its effective conservation in Turkey are outlined. A comprehensive site inventory, based on fieldwork directed to potential breeding localities, and monitoring of important sites identified by this study and earlier surveys are urgently required.