Köyceğiz & Mugla area - SW Turkey (3 Viewers)

[angusmcoatup]

A five minute dash to pick up a loaf, in between heavy downpours, turned into 20 minutes with a Masked Shrike folllowed by an Isabelline Wheatear. Both technically garden ticks for the year as the Wheatear continued onto the scrub of the orange grove and the, or another, Shrike hunted the neighbouring land on my return.

 

[angusmcoatup]

02.04.25

After another long spell of very heavy rain it was a relief to take a 30 minute break on the land surrounding the house. From the top of the stairs the numbers of birds flitting and passing through was impressive. Lesser Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs were everywhere but also a pair of Ruppells Warblers, Eastern Orphean Warbler, a Reed Warbler, several Whitethroats, and many, many more birds deep in the orange trees.
A Collared Flycatcher hunted from the main Mulberry tree. 5 overflying Pipits conveniently stopped long enough to be Id’d as Tree Pipits, also several Meadow Pipits around.
A pair of Wrynecks were on the ground by the cottage and at least 5 Hoopoes were flushed on my brief walk.

03.04.25

Similar weather and again plenty to see. A pair of Common Redstarts new in. Collared Flycatcher again though this time along the path and a Black Eared Wheatear used the dead wood on neighbouring land as it’s vantage point. Several Yellow Wagtails passed over and 3 Tree Pipits stopped in a tree top for a few minutes. A pair of Sardinian Warblers were searching the old vine along the fence and first Woodchat Shrike of the spring perched on the power line above.

From my desk a passing falcon turned into a Hobby, which stayed off and on all afternoon. Hopefully not picking off the house Red Rumped Swallows from amongst the large number of hirundines.

05.04.25
Fethiye- Sedge Warblers and a pair of Greater Short toed Larks in our hotel grounds. Plenty of Loggerhead Turtles offshore. A nice party of 5 Little Gulls close into the beach.

At Kuş Cenneti an unpromising and depressing start with lots of rubbish around. Then 9 Gull billed Terns briefly passed through before remaining around the bay for the next couple of hours. Still very quiet until a helicopter flew low over the reserve and flushed a wader into a visible (to us) channel. Greater Sand Plover female, which made up for missing a bird reported a week previously at Dalaman.

Later a flock of Common Terns fished the bay and around 12 Purple Herons crossed the water heading towards Gocek.

 

[angusmcoatup]

07.04.25

Took a bike ride down the river path. Woodchat Shrikes everywhere today- 14 counted without trying, also Eastern Black-Eared Wheatears, Isabelline and a couple of Northern. A couple of Masked Shrikes around too.
50 + Glossy Ibis between the river meadow and dog sanctuary fields. 3 Kentish Plover flew from the beach onto the dump which is partlially flooded. Spur Winged Plover pair across from Dog Sanctuary road on the channel by the lake.
Common Nightingale was singing in the river woods, and White throated Kingfisher called from the scrub in front. A few Sedge Warblers around and a Moustached in the river bed.
Greater Short Toed Lark seems noticeable this spring, a flock of 15 or so on the dump. Also a Cretzschmars Bunting , Great Spotted Cuckoo and 2 Hoopoes. Yellow Wagtails still only in dribs and drabs.

 

[angusmcoatup]

08.04.25

More rain, solidly tipping down most of the day. A familiar sound had me peering out of the window and there was a sharp looking Collared Flycatcher male opposite . Several calls from the avenue of trees and nearby orange trees also. At best I had 5 clear individuals in view but definitely several more throughout the grove.

Also found 1, though probably 2 Wrynecks grubbing around a tree trunk. Second bird only visible vaguely through grass stalks.

Also one female Northern Wheatear acting more like a Robin. From feeding on the grass outside it regularly came and perched on the steps, checking out the flower pots.
As ever, innumerable Lesser Whitethroats flitting about.

 

[angusmcoatup]

09.4.25

This morning is bright and sunny so I went out for a pre-work spell of birding.

First up a Masked Shrike on one power line and two Tree Pipits on another. Beneath in the neighbouring orange grove at least 3 Collared Flycatchers remained though this time not very vocal.
An interesting silhouetted Warbler took time to come into technicolour and reveal itself as a male Rüppells . Also a brief view of a likely Willow Warbler in the now leafy Mulberry.
An elusive bird following the avenue of trees finally came out in the open as a Red breasted Flycatcher. As well as a dead orange tree regularly used by Shrikes there’s a small Pomegranite used by Flycatchers and this is where it, a male, obligingly posed. Lovely bird that always whisks me back in time to east coast (Uk) autumn hedgerows where I saw my first.
On the return walk a last raise of the bins picked out a passing female Golden Oriole. Earlier here I think, than last year, have to check. Speaking of early, the occasional snatch of overhead -Bee-eater song turned out to be the end piece of a Jays warble. A regular bird sits high in the pine and does a fair imitation towards the end of its monologue.

Also as I type, a handful of Pallid Swifts are buzzing around outside, visible from my desk.

Edit- In the last 5 minutes, both Whinchat and Eastern Black eared Wheatear on the line.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Yesterday a Red Throated Pipit on abandoned farmland , several Northern and Black eared Wheatears across the edges of town. Masked and Woodchat Shrikes also quite common.

This morning the Collared Flycatchers seem to have paired up and lots of displaying or the females arrived separately. Much easier to see and around 10 birds seen with much of the grove likely to be holding more.

A Willow Warbler sang from the Mulberry.

 

[angusmcoatup]

11.04.25

1 Marsh Sandpiper - Roadside pool, 77 + Glossy Ibis - dog sanctuary fields also Whinchat & Corn Bunting here, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers on a newly exposed pool.
Squacco Heron from stone ple viewpoint.
Odd sight of a male Penduline Tit in a patch of scrub close to my home,

12.04.25

2 Spotted Flycatchers , So far- 15 Bee-eaters, 5 Collared Pratincole (Fethiye old road fields), Sparrowhawk catching a Collared Flycatcher, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Great Spotted Cuckoo , White Stork ,

 

[angusmcoatup]

13.04.25

Cracking sunny morning birding. Highlights only . Woodchat Shrikes, Masked Shrikes , Hoopoes pretty much everywhere.

Lake and beach- 5 Common Terns , 2 Whiskered Terns, 2 Spur Winged Plovers, 5 Black winged Stilts, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper

River/dump / dump reedbeds- Yellow Wagtails inc Blue headed, Wryneck, Whinchat, 2 Isabelline Wheatear , 4 Northern Wheatear , 2 Eastern Black Eared Wheatears, 1 Red throated Pipit , Little Bittern, 30 + Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egrets, 3 Cretzschmars Buntings, several Penduline Tits, Sand Martins

Both Woodland areas and scrub - Common Nightingales , all 5 Woodpeckers, Eastern Bonellis Warbler, Collared Flycatchers

Stone pile / Dog sanctuary road- Squacco Heron, Little Crake,2 White throated Kingfisher, 3 Garganey , Ruddy Shelduck

Hamitköy road marsh- 40 + Yellow Wagtails, Tawny Pipit, Spotted Crake , 9 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers , Zitting Cisticola , Corn Bunting, Common Kestrel, Great Reed Warbler , tons of Sedge Warblers, overhead Bee-eaters

Roadside Pool - 1 Marsh Sandpiper , Short Toed Eagle

 

[angusmcoatup]

14.04.25

The day started well with a singing Common Nightingale in the garden. Still present today. Only a few Collared Flycatchers left but 4 visible Spotted Flycatchers and a couple of hidden callers have arrived. A Tree Pipit was on the power line, and Meadow Pipit passed through.
A Goshawk male unsuccessfully attacked the chicken flock , dramatic sight!

Later I took a ride down to the dump / lake/ marsh etc. Plenty of regular birds seen but nothing too notable so I parked myself under a small pine and watched the Hamitköy marsh. Good views of the Marsh Sandpiper, a lovely bright Red Throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtails , Bee-eaters, Warblers etc. A scattering of alarmed waders heralded the arrival of a male Montagu’s Harrier which hung around for 20 minutes or so. Stunning close ups.

Apparently I missed a big tern flock on the lake in the morning.

 

[angusmcoatup]

16.04.25

5 Turtle Doves on the power line this morning. The usual Shrikes/ Flycatchers around with Collared pairs relatively easy to see compared to when they first arrived.
A female Common Redstart was on the newly ploughed soil within a few metres of an Ortolan Bunting. Lots of White Wagtails, Sparrows, Greenfinch’s ,Blackbirds , Lesser Whitethroats and the CF’s all making the most of the bug and seed fest.

One head scratcher (for me) was this Nightingale I managed a few crap photos of. Streaking on breast and sides plus a dark, muted colour even in direct sunlight. Very pink legs, even more so than in the photo. Not heard to sing. Common or Thrush Nightingale? I leant towards Thrush on the streaking and shade but happy to be corrected.

 

[Richard Prior]

16.04.25

5 Turtle Doves on the power line this morning. The usual Shrikes/ Flycatchers around with Collared pairs relatively easy to see compared to when they first arrived.
A female Common Redstart was on the newly ploughed soil within a few metres of an Ortolan Bunting. Lots of White Wagtails, Sparrows, Greenfinch’s ,Blackbirds , Lesser Whitethroats and the CF’s all making the most of the bug and seed fest.

One head scratcher (for me) was this Nightingale I managed a few crap photos of. Streaking on breast and sides plus a dark, muted colour even in direct sunlight. Very pink legs, even more so than in the photo. Not heard to sing. Common or Thrush Nightingale? I leant towards Thrush on the streaking and shade but happy to be corrected.

The well marked (malar?) stripes and extensive streaking and overall dull tones as you say make it Thrush Nightingale for me Angus

 

[angusmcoatup]

The well marked (malar?) stripes and extensive streaking and overall dull tones as you say make it Thrush Nightingale for me Angus

Magic Richard. Thanks for your reply.

 

[angusmcoatup]

18.04.25

A morning spin along the Fethiye old road and down to the forest was productive. First Roller of the year on a power line, and Semi Collared Flycatcher male on the forest edge. The glut of Collared Flycatchers has been distracting whilst looking for this species (plus Pied) so it was a relief to get a showy bird.

Bee-eaters much in evidence, swooping along the big drainage channel lined with hives.

A cat carrying a Masked Shrike corpse was depressing.

 

[Bananafishbones]

A cat carrying a Masked Shrike corpse was depressing.

We have a huge problem here around my Sokak as an elderly couple have adopted 20+ cats.
They all eat together and I guess are best friends which means they have no territorial instincts and are happy to hunt the land in packs

Wildlife has been devastated within a few years, all lizards gone, little Owl now gone. I can see at least 8 of his cats hunting in the field at the back of me now, with a few more on a neighbouring roof.

Truly depressing and devastating
If I lived out here I think they would be disappearing one by one 😉

It’s an English problem here with this obsession for collecting as many cats and dogs as possible. And don’t get me started on the packs of street dogs 🙈

 

[angusmcoatup]

We have a huge problem here around my Sokak as an elderly couple have adopted 20+ cats.
They all eat together and I guess are best friends which means they have no territorial instincts and are happy to hunt the land in packs

Wildlife has been devastated within a few years, all lizards gone, little Owl now gone. I can see at least 8 of his cats hunting in the field at the back of me now, with a few more on a neighbouring roof.

Truly depressing and devastating
If I lived out here I think they would be disappearing one by one 😉

It’s an English problem here with this obsession for collecting as many cats and dogs as possible. And don’t get me started on the packs of street dogs 🙈

Yeah- the apartments near the cottage are complete with residents and there’s now several cats prowling the land, couple down the street have 7-8 too. The Agamas have gone, very few of the other lizards and I don’t see much hope for the hungry migrants lasting long when hunting for food.

 

[angusmcoatup]

18.04.25

An afternoon ride around the side roads and orange groves. Hot and lots of pools have dried up.

Highlights- A pair of Red Footed Falcons across the marsh then onto the usual raptor tree.
2 Black winged Stilts - river channel.
Increased numbers of Great Reed Warblers, also several Eastern Olivaceous Warblers. Glossy Ibis flock still around and around 30 Night Herons headed towards the forest in the early evening. Little Owl noisily outside the bedroom window at 4 am.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Yesterday we had the second Köyceğiz bird walk ,all beginners apart from myself, which was actually done by bike. Not a bad day despite the heat though many of the more notable birds were missed by some as they get the hang of bins, directions, pinpointing birds at a distance etc.
Highlights - Whiskered Tern- me only. As I waited for the group to arrive there was a peaceful half hour watching this at close quarters, with accompanying Common and Wood Sandpipers, Pygmy Cormorant, Little Egret and Yellow Wagtail. Five minutes before the first people arrived there was a kind of mass disturbance of drone, kayakers, yoga woman on the shoreline, street dogs splashing around and a Rambo type running up and down the sand. Only the cormorant remained.

White throated Kingfisher- cracking overhead view. Only one other got onto it but we had them calling at another site.

Common and Thrush Nightingale. Took the group to the woods to give them an idea of how Merlin works. At least 3 Common Nightingales calling then surprised to see TN flagged up. A bit of patience and finally the bird came out into the open. Already had one in the garden this week and good to be able to compare the two.

Squacco Herons- popping up everywhere.
Eastern Bonellis Warbler at a few metres.
Plus a good range of regular Warblers
Alpine Swift

Best bird of the day though, long after the group trip, was a low drifting Lesser Spotted Eagle being escorted by the garden Hooded Crow pair. Always good to have these two alerting me to any overhead interest!

 

[angusmcoatup]

21.04.25

Female Montagu’s Harrier. Pursued by a few Barn Swallows across the neighbouring orange grove.
Also a male Common Redstart and a few Bee-eaters over.

 

[angusmcoatup]

22.04.25

A Roller on next doors land. Huge flock of Bee-eaters, uncountable as they were on all sides of the house and spread widely.
At least one Collared Flycatcher remaining and Eastern Olivaceous Warblers now common in the garden.

 

[bedfontbirder]

16.04.25

5 Turtle Doves on the power line this morning. The usual Shrikes/ Flycatchers around with Collared pairs relatively easy to see compared to when they first arrived.
A female Common Redstart was on the newly ploughed soil within a few metres of an Ortolan Bunting. Lots of White Wagtails, Sparrows, Greenfinch’s ,Blackbirds , Lesser Whitethroats and the CF’s all making the most of the bug and seed fest.

One head scratcher (for me) was this Nightingale I managed a few crap photos of. Streaking on breast and sides plus a dark, muted colour even in direct sunlight. Very pink legs, even more so than in the photo. Not heard to sing. Common or Thrush Nightingale? I leant towards Thrush on the streaking and shade but happy to be corrected.

Thrush Nightingale for me too. In addition to Richard's comments, there is a reasonably clear chest band in your pics, too.