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SEEN is an umbrella organization for research and ringing stations in Middle Eastern and Eastern Europe. Its main goals are to understand bird migration flyways through our region, and to enhance cooperation between ringers and researchers. This year, the workshop took place in the Jagelonian University of Cracow, located in an ancient citadel on a beautifully forested hill outside of the city. During the workshop, we met fellow researchers and colleague ringers from Jordan, Egypt, Palestinian Authorities, Turkey, and other Eastern European countries and strengthened our personal and business relations with them.

While at the workshop, Jill Oron spoke about sustaining a researh station by research projects, educational work, professional ornithologist services, and donations. Noam Weiss presented his research about habitat selection and relationships between the Pharaoh Eagle Owl (Bubo ascalaphus) and the Hume's Tawny Owl (Strix butleri).

The main issues that were discussed during the workshop were ringing results from several stations, orientation tests, and other research findings.

One of the most interesting results that was brought to the workshop this year was that only birds that were prepared to go on with migration from a certain spot (high fat score) showed a clear orientation towards migration directions, while the birds that had only arrived at a "fueling station" with a low fat score were poorly oriented toards migration routes.

We had the last day free for ourselves. Noam went mountain climbing with Gosia (robin researcher) in the Tetra Mountains,

While Jill went shopping…

We send our deepest appreciation to the SEEN workshop organizers, Dr. Agnieszka Ozarowska and Professor Przemyslaw Busse, and to Marek, from Akcja Carpatica, who hosted the conference this year.

You may visit SEEN's web site on www.seen-net.eu.

IT WAS FUN!