Turkey

[Alastair Rae]

We went to Istanbul on 16 April for five days and had a three day excursion to Bursa. While the main point of the trip was cultural, we tried to get a bit of birding in.

There are not many birds of interest in Istanbul itself apart from Laughing Doves and Alpine Swifts. Flocks of c50 Mediterranean Shearwaters were common on the Bosphorus.

Being near the Bosphorus in Spring, we had hoped for raptor migration but the wind was set cold and Northerly for the duration. One place for migration watching is the suburban hill of Küçük Çamlica (ferry + taksi). Our visit only turned up a few hundred White Storks.

There's a very cheap day trip by public ferry up the Bosphorus from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavagi. We had some hopes for the hills at this last stop but only managed a few storks and a single Lesser Spotted Eagle.

We had a driver cum (non-birding) guide for our trip to Bursa. He drove us to Kuşcenetti NP. This is a tremendous wetland but with only one observation tower. We spent a few hours there and were not disappointed. Two lifers were Dalmation Pelican (picture here (http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/49503)) and Pygmy Cormorant. Bonuses were a wide variety and large numbers of herons and a party of Golden Orioles.

In general, the countryside seemed fairly birdless apart from flocks of House Sparrows. The usual from-the-car birds were missing - very odd.

Partial species list:

Grey Heron Ardea cinera
Squacco Ardeola ralliodes
Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Pygmy Cormorant P pygmaeus
Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
Dalmation Pelicans Pelecanus crispus
Alpine swift Apus melba
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
Mediterranean Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan

[Tim Allwood]

Hi Alistair

well done on Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant

does Green Warbler still occur at Bursa?

Tim

[Alastair Rae]

does Green Warbler still occur at Bursa?
No sign of it but it was raining there much of the time & we didn't bird around Bursa itself. (And it was too misty to go up Mt Uladağ.) Felt like a very late Spring.

[bittern]

I was also in Turkey last week, based on Ankara. I also made as day trip to the marshy areas around Kulu.

In Ankara itself not much other than some migrant falls:-

Syrian Woodpecker, Olivacious Warbler, Common Swifts, Jackdaws, Magpies, and groups of migrating Collared Flycatchers and Red-backed Shrikes in the city parks as well as some unidentified Phylloscopus warblers that looked like they might have been Green Warbler, but never had good enough views to be certain.

Around Kulu saw:-

Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Kestrels, Long-legged Buzzard, White-winged Terns, Hoopoes, Bee-eater flocks migrating, White Storks, Booted Eagle, Stilts, Little Owls, Flamingos, Isabelline Wheatears, RB Shrikes, Lesser Grey Shrike, masses of Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Quail heard, etc...

Mike

[Dally]

I've just booked a family holiday in Dalyan, which is a good birding / turtle area. Anyone know if you can do one day birdwatching trips in the delta from local tourist outlets? Ta.

[pandachris]

I've just booked a family holiday in Dalyan, which is a good birding / turtle area. Anyone know if you can do one day birdwatching trips in the delta from local tourist outlets? Ta.

Dally

From memory the lake is better than the delta, but it's a lovely ride though the reeds on the beach water taxis.

A brief stop in Dalyan in 2001 is mentioned in my trip report linked through my signature, but I'm sure that you'll track down more up to date and useful reports.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I spent a few days in Dalyan in April 1996 and saw plenty. It might not be as good at other times of the year though. You get (or got) Kruper's Nuthatch in the pine forest near the delta.

[Alan G]

It might not be as good at other times of the year though. You get (or got) Kruper's Nuthatch in the pine forest near the delta.

Still get them - had several in the pines near the delta (Iztusu Beach) last September.

Also a few freshwater lagoons surrounded by bushes and trees, backed by scrubby hillside at the beach end which looks inviting for migrants at the right time of year.

Dally, I'm not sure about specific trips for birding from Dalyan but plenty of inexpensive boats that ply their trade either to the Delta through extensive reedbeds or, the other direction, towards the lake.

Must admit the lake was almost birdless on my visit, other than 1000s of Coot and the occasional Squacco Heron/GW Egret over the reedbeds.

Having said that, I'd suggest ignoring the boats all together as they drop you at the wrong end of the beach for the best habitats.

Much better to get the Dolmus from the village centre to drop you at the beach (the other, better end - habitats as mentioned above) and perhaps hop on and off it on the way bac whenever you pass anywhere that looks promising such as in the pine forested hillside or on the edge of marshland/wetland that you'll see on the drive down, etc......only a few miles and costs pennies as well.

[Rob Smallwood]

I'd agree with the above.

Also, hire a boat for the day to go on to the lake, go early morning and you'll do well for Egrets, Sqacco, Night Heron etc and at any time of year can turn up duck (inc Ferruginous & Garganey) Pigmy Cormorant (sometimes need a lot of luck) and terns inc Marsh terns and Caspian.

Most boat owners will take you via a Penduline Tit nest, through a narrow channel to see singing Great Reed warblers, then try to get you to go to the Mud Baths or Turkish Bath - resist and keep going anti clockwise round the lake as the birds can improve further around.

Watch the skies for raptors inc W-t Eagle too.

Be warned however that sometimes the lake can be almost bird free!

I've not come across a guided birding trip - depending on the time of year you are going there will be plenty to see - and don't ignore the ruins at Caunos for Roller, Shrikes, warblers and plenty of snakes, lizards and tortoise.

Walk north along the riverbank for Peduline Tit and Masked Shrike (2 pairs breeding within the first mile of the path this year) and check out the trees in the Mosque garden for Skops Owl.

[Ben Nevis]

I was in Marmaris last month and a Birdwatching Trip was advertised in one of the Trip Books on display,that included the usual tourist stuff,such as Turkish Baths,Jeep Safari,Rhodes etc.If I remember correctly,the Birding Trip was near the back of the Trip Book.This may not be helpful but if they are doing them from Marmaris,hopefully,they shall do them from other areas of Turkey.

[Birdbox]

If you're going during the summer hols don't expect too much on either the delta or the lake. Sure, both are beautiful but the incessant boat traffic have rendered the reedbeds (on the delta) almost birdless at this time of year. Spring and autumn, of course, are far more productive.

Still, assuming you're there in August, check out Iztuzu beach. The freshwater lagoon at the end to which the buses run (by far the best area for the family to chill on, also) has Kentish Plover, small numbers of peeps, the odd sand plover and Little Egret and Kingfisher. The woodland to the rear of this has Middle spot Wood, Kruper's Nut (follow the track to the drinking trough - they drink from here, but there's lots of wasps). Also here are Bl.e Wheatear, Rock Nut, Sh.t Eagle, Raven and I guess a trickle of migrants but I havnt been there in summer. On my last visit Masked Shrikes were breeding near to the concrete platforms that were going to be the bases for a German holiday resort before David Bellamy and co. got stuck in - good man.
When you're done here, walk the length of the beach, if you,ve family. Once away from the (small) crowds you'll have a 3 km stretch to yourselves. Continue to the delta end to catch the boat back to the village via the reedbeds. A return ticket bought on the bus will qualify you to use the corporation boats for the return journey - otherwise it's about a fiver each on the private ones!

Other areas that provide interest are the road that runs between Dalyan and Iztuzu. Walk this (or hire a bike) and keep nipping off into the habitat either side. Buntings, shrikes, Penduline Tit, Lesser Kestrel, Rock Nuthatch, Bl e. Wheatear, Long-legged Buzzard, Cettis & Fan-tailed Wars, Rufous Bushchat. The large body of water about a mile along here (Solungur Golu) looks mint but has naff all! I've twice seen Eleanora's Falcon patrolling the river/ruins whilst walking here. In autumn this area is pretty good for harriers esp' around an open area on the right (if heading away from town) dotted with beehives. Lssr grey shrike here also.

Lake Koycegiz can be a bit birdless, as I say, but a trip on it with Capt Nadim is a pleasure. You'll get Night Herons, Grt R War, odd Spur wing and Squacco. He will usually find you a turtle in the lake's outflow - and they're HUGE!

To the nw of the lake by road is an area called Hamit (I think) which used to be good for Wh thr Kingfisher. I'm pretty sure I disturbed one here but could nt relocate it. Also had Eleanora's here - two of them gorging on dragonflies right above my head - superb. It is however a bit of a drive.

Visit Caunos ruins early a.m by crossing the river courtesy of the lady who rows across the locals. You'll find her at the riverside health centre. She docks on the otherside at her mother-in-law's cafe and this formidable woman will accost you for some business. After a few visits you'll get used to eachother! This crossing costs considerably less than the tourist boats and puts you in decent habitat rather than directly at the ruins. Following the approach road to the ruins puts you in warbler territory. I've had Ruppell's, Olivaceous, Olive-tree and phylloscs and sylvias here. Buntings include Black-headed and Cirl. The ruins have Rock Nut and shrikes, Crag Martin and L-l Buzzard. The lagoon in the ruins area has the odd heron and Little Grebe and stilt. Beyond the ruins the village whose name escapes me has Sombre tit and Nightingale.

Finally Tepearasi woodland (well known for it's liquid amber trees) is bopping with Nightingales in spring. Right at your feet - ridiculous! Also here are woodpeckers, Masked Shrike and Ive also seen Olive-tree War here.

The Ley Ley restaurant on the Ortaca road has Nightjar and Night Herons and loads of breeding White Storks. Ley Ley, I believe, is Turkish for stork.

There is an excellent marsh next to Dalaman airport - it has everything that Dalyan delta ought to have - terns, plovers, bitterns, bee-eaters etc. Unfortunately after 15 mins of birding here I was arrested on suspicion of spying and spent the next 9 years in prison. I'm lying. Nine hours, in fact. I'll tell you the tale some other time. A guy alled Steve Botham may be able to give you the latest on that site. I think you can contact him on Lincsbirdclub and follow the link to Bouthle mere, or something like that. I'm not talking to him - it was he who told me it was ok to bird there! I'll get him back one day.

If I think of anything else I'll post again.