BIRD WATCHING IN TURKEY

Turkey is acknowledged to be an ideal destination for bird watching due to its location on an important bird immigration route, its stunning landscape and plentiful marshlands. Bird observation stations and observation towers have been set up within an number of these Important Bird Areas (IBA). Furthermore, significant passing points on bird immigration routes, seen especially during autumn and spring months, include Istanbul and the Çanakkale Straits, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep) and North East Anatolia (Artvin, Rize, Kars). Bird observation has grown in popularity within Turkey during recent years.  

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS (IBA) PROJECT

The Important Bird Areas (IBA) project was set up in 1989 by the International Bird Protection Council, in an effect to identify, preserve and monitor particular sites around the world that provide essential habitat for bird populations. The Natural Life Protection Foundation have assumed responsibility for the studies required for the IBA project in Turkey.

The IBA Turkey Project, which began in 1990, aims to determine new IBAs, whilst continuing the observation and protection of the progress of established areas. Activities include campaigns and lobby activities and the establishment of public opinion about the various IBAs in Turkey.

Bird Lake

City: Balıkesir
Provinces: Gönen, Manyas, Bandırma
Getting There: Flight to Istanbul, fast ferry (from Yenikapı, 2 hours)  to Bandirma.
Accommodation: The nearby town of Erdek has a selection of tourist accommodation.
Surface Area : 16000 Ha
Altitude: 18 m
Coordinates: 40º11'N 27º58'E
Protection: Yes

Bird Lake, or Kuş Gölü, is a shallow freshwater lake with an average depth of 3m. A 64 ha area is protected as the Kuşcenneti National Park, consisting of partially flooded forests (mainly willow) and reedbeds. The National Park has an observation tower and visitor centre.

Bird Species: Breeding pygmy cormorant -küçük karabatak (150 pairs), Dalmatian Pelican - tepeli pelikan (35 pairs), night heron gece balıkçılı (150 pairs), squacco heron -alaca balıkçıl (100 pairs) and spoonbill kaşıkçı (200 pairs). There are also huge numbers of cormorant - karabatak (max. 2650) all year round , Dalmatian Pelican tepeli pelikan (max. 117) and ruddy duck dikkuyruk (max. 34) can also be seen regularly during winter.

Gediz Delta

City: İzmir
Provinces: Karşıyaka, Menemen, Foça
Getting There: Flight to İzmir, followed by a journey of approximately one hour by road to the Delta.
Accommodation: İzmir City Centre, or the nearby resort of Foça have ample accommodation to suit all budgets.
Surface Area : 20400 Ha
Altitude: Sea level
Protection: partially

The Gediz Delta is an extensive coastal wetland consisting of bays, salt marshes, freshwater marshes, large saltpans and four lagoons are formed at the former mouth of the Gediz River, 25km north west of İzmir. In the late 19th century, the River was diverted in order to prevent the entrance to İzmir Bay from silting up. Local public awareness campaigns due to the recent wetland restoration project have resulted in the site becoming a well known wetland and a popular weekend destination for people from İzmir. There is a visitor centre, as well as  several bird observation towers.

Bird Species: Populations of Dalmatian Pelican Tepeli pelikan (35 pairs), flamingo (1450 pairs), lesser kestrel - küçük kerkenez (25 pairs), avocet -kılıçgaga (55 pairs), stone curlew - kocagöz (30 pairs), collared pratincole -bataklık kırlangıcı (35 pairs), Kentish plover - akça cılıbıt (1000 pairs), spur-winged plover mahmuzlu kızkuşu (50 pairs), Mediterranean gull Akdeniz martısı (900 pairs), little tern küçük sumru (205 pairs) and caspian tern Hazar sumrusu (100 pairs).

Huge number of water birds shelter here in winter, including pygmy cormorant küçük karabatak (max. 1000) and Dalmatian Pelican tepeli pelikan (max. 450).  

Bafa Lake

City: Aydın, Muğla
Provinces: Yenihisar, Söke, Milas
Getting There: Flight to Bodrum, followed by a journey of approximately 1 hour by road.
Accommodation: Accommodation around the lake itself consists of a handful of small guest houses. Information can be found on the Small Hotels of Turkey site. Alternatively, accommodation in the nearby resorts of Bodrum and Didim is in plentiful supply.
Surface Area : 12281
Altitude: 5 m
Protection: Yes

Bafa Lake is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Turkish and foreign tourists. However, strict building regulations mean that the area has remained unspoilt. As well as bird watching, walking is another popular activity to be enjoyed in the Lake's vicinity.

Bird Species: The important breeding species are Dalmatian pelican -Tepeli pelikan (42 pairs), collared pratincole -bataklık kırlangıcı (85 pairs), Kentish plover - akça cılıbıt (150 pairs), Mediterranean gull Akdeniz martısı (800 pairs), Caspian tern Hazar sumrusu (6 pairs) and little tern küçük sumru (300 pairs). During winter, important numbers of water birds can be seen (max. 29.982), including cormorant - karabatak (max. 3005), pygmy cormorant - küçük karabatak (max. 350), Dalmatian pelican tepeli pelikan (max. 434), great white egret - büyük ak balıkçıl (max. 312), flamingo (max. 8650), wigeon -fiyu (max. 5623), avocet, kılıçgaga (max.1000) and slender-billed gull ince gagalı martı (max. 1284).

Main Characteristics: coastal lagoons, salty swamp

 Köyceğiz Lake & Dalyan Delta

City: Muğla
Provinces: Köyceğiz, Ortaca
Getting There: The nearest airport, Dalaman, is situated around 40 minutes from the Lake and the nearby Delta. Dalaman is served manly by direct charter flights from the UK.
Where to Stay: The sites are accessible from Dalyan, Sarıgerme and Marmaris, where tourist accommodation is in plentiful supply.
Surface Area : 8000
Altitude: Sea level
Protection: Yes

The area consists of a wetland complex of lakes, canals, marshes, reedbeds and sand dunes. A prominent feature of Dalyan is its 4km long beach, which is a major breeding area  of the endangered loggerhead turtle.

Bird Species: It hosts huge number of wintering water birds (max. 47.654), including Cormorant/karabatak (max.1525), Pygmy Cormorant/küçük karabatak (max. 40), Red-crested Pochard/Macar ördeği(max.528) and Coot/sakarmekenin (max. 34.120).  The White-tailed Eagle is presumed to breed in the surroundings, whilst White-breasted Kingfisher and Pied Kingfisher still breed but in small and declining numbers.

Main Characteristics: sweet water lake, swamp 

Burdur & Eğirdir Lakes

City: Burdur, Isparta
Provinces: Burdur Merkez, Isparta Merkez, Keçiborlu, Eğirdir, Senirkent, Yalvaç, Gelendost
Getting There: Antalya is the closest International Airport, situated some three hours (186km) from the Lakes. Accommodation consists mainly of pensions. For further information, refer to the Hotel Eğirdir site.
Surface Area : 23700 Ha and 47 - 250 Ha
Altitude: 857 m & 918 m
Protection: Yes

The lakes are in a scenic setting, surrounded by arable land, steep hills and mountains. Rose fields and apple orchards are common in these areas. Burdur Lake is among the deepest in Turkey, with a maximum depth of 110m.

Bird Species: Important for water birds, which are numerous during winter. It is the most important wintering area for the endangered ruddy duck dikkuyruk (more than two thirds of the world's winter population, max. 10.927). This species can be seen out of breeding season in huge numbers on Burdur Lake . The maximum number of water birds recorded during the winter is 202.119. black-necked grebe kara boyunlu batağan (max. 25.280), ruddy shelduck angıt (in July max. 1889, during winter max. 472), Red-crested pochard Macar ördeği (maks 2814), pochard elmabaş patka (max. 57.555), tufted duck tepeli patka (max. 6000) and coot sakarmeke (max. 138.925) are the leaders among noted important species. For Eğirdir Lake, numerous water birds (max. 107.199), which include species such as pygmy cormorant Küçük karabatak (max. 81), Red-crested pochard Macar ördeği (max.1503), pochard elmabaş patka (max. 15.198), tufted duck tepeli patka (max.12.665) and coot sakarmeke (max. 64.419).

Main Characteristics: light salty lake & sweet water lake

Tuz Gölü/Salt Lake

City: Konya, Aksaray, Ankara
Provinces: Konya, Aksaray, Ankara
Getting There: Konya Airport, via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, is situated some two to three hours from the Lake. Alternatively, a visit to the Lake is in reach of the popular destination of Cappadocia.
Where to Stay: Accommodation around the Lake itself is limited. However, the historic City of Konya and the fascinating Cappadocia region provide greater possibilities not only for accommodation, but also for cultural exploration within the region.
Surface Area : 260000
Altitude: 905 m
Protection: Yes

The second largest lake in Turkey, Salt Lake, as it's name suggests is extremely saline, with a salt ratio of 32%. The Lake actually produces 55% of all Turkish salt.

Bird Species: Home to the largest flamingo colony in Turkey. The aerial counting performed in 1992 determined that the colony includes 14.000 pairs of flamingo. Küçük kerkenez is specie, which widely reproduces within villages surrounding lake. Kılıçgaga and büyük cılıbıt is also breeding. During winter sakarca (max. 12500) can be seen.

Main Characteristics: salt lake, steppe