Simon Elliott
Well-known member
Just in case anybody is planning a holiday in Kalkan, I found a great spot for raptor watching less than 15 minutes by car from the town (1-15 June).
From Kalkan I took the Elmali road inland. The road passes through some tight bends then gradually climbs to the highest point where you can see some prominent reception poles on hilltops to the left. Just over the top of the hill on the left hand side is a road-side drinking fountain overlooking a verdant valley. There are several trees around the fountain and a convenient bench overlooking the valley. There were 6 hunting short-toed eagles on one occassion, together with 6 raven and another unidentified smaller eagle, mainly looking back across the valley to the hills on the left. Across the road were two peregrine and further down a kestrel. The birds were all present when I revisited the site several times during the holiday.
The birding was generally very enjoyable, with lots of new species for me. However, the highlight was the eagles without having to travel far in the heat from the resort.
Simon
From Kalkan I took the Elmali road inland. The road passes through some tight bends then gradually climbs to the highest point where you can see some prominent reception poles on hilltops to the left. Just over the top of the hill on the left hand side is a road-side drinking fountain overlooking a verdant valley. There are several trees around the fountain and a convenient bench overlooking the valley. There were 6 hunting short-toed eagles on one occassion, together with 6 raven and another unidentified smaller eagle, mainly looking back across the valley to the hills on the left. Across the road were two peregrine and further down a kestrel. The birds were all present when I revisited the site several times during the holiday.
The birding was generally very enjoyable, with lots of new species for me. However, the highlight was the eagles without having to travel far in the heat from the resort.
Simon
