Istanbul Layover (3 Viewers)

[Jeff Hopkins]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip in May which will likely have me laying-over for 24 hours in Istanbul.

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a guide for a morning birding session close to the airport.

Thanks.

JH

 

[MiddleRiver]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip in May which will likely have me laying-over for 24 hours in Istanbul.

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a guide for a morning birding session close to the airport.

Thanks.

JH

Hi Jeff,
Did you ever get an answer or get to do any birding near/in/around Istanbul?

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Hi Jeff,
Did you ever get an answer or get to do any birding near/in/around Istanbul?

I did.

I contacted Birdlife Turkey, who put me in touch with Süreyya isfendiyaroğlu. While he doesn't usually guide, he was willing to take me out to Belgrade Forest for a morning. I later found out he doesn't live in Istanbul, but was coming into town for work. He also had to rent a car for the day, because he doesn't own one.

So I'm not sure how viable that option would be for others. But you can contact Birdlife Turkey and see what happens.

 

[MiddleRiver]

I did.

I contacted Birdlife Turkey, who put me in touch with Süreyya isfendiyaroğlu. While he doesn't usually guide, he was willing to take me out to Belgrade Forest for a morning. I later found out he doesn't live in Istanbul, but was coming into town for work. He also had to rent a car for the day, because he doesn't own one.

So I'm not sure how viable that option would be for others. But you can contact Birdlife Turkey and see what happens.

Did you just email these folks? Turkey - Doğa
Was it worth it?
Do you mind if I ask where you went?
Would it be reasonable to do it independently?
Safety (with bins, cameara, etc.)?
Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thinking about extending the layover to a day or two...

thx

 

[THE_FERN]

Did you just email these folks? Turkey - Doğa
Was it worth it?
Do you mind if I ask where you went?
Would it be reasonable to do it independently?
Safety (with bins, cameara, etc.)?
Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thinking about extending the layover to a day or two...

thx

Easy to get a bus to the village at the edge of Belgrad forest. Fairly long walk thereafter. Completely safe in my [limited] experience. Other parks within the city host things like Syrian woodpecker

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

The only place I went for pure birding was Belgrad Forest. I went with a guide simply to avoid the long walk to Belgrad (that The_Fern mentions). A major target was Semicollared Flycatcher, and the area where they are known to breed, is far from the bus stop. I thought it was worth it, but your mileage may vary. I also spent some time in Gülhane Park near my hotel in Sultanahmet, but really only saw common stuff there.

I would have no issue with safety in Belgrad Forest or Gülhane Park. In general Istanbul is pretty safe, IMO.

 

[THE_FERN]

The only place I went for pure birding was Belgrad Forest. I went with a guide simply to avoid the long walk to Belgrad (that The_Fern mentions). A major target was Semicollared Flycatcher, and the area where they are known to breed, is far from the bus stop. I thought it was worth it, but your mileage may vary. I also spent some time in Gülhane Park near my hotel in Sultanahmet, but really only saw common stuff there.

I would have no issue with safety in Belgrad Forest or Gülhane Park. In general Istanbul is pretty safe, IMO.

Cool. I saw middle-spotted and I think Syrian is also regular there but apart from that just the more common woodland species (this wasn't summer)