Participants:
Remco Hofland and Eus van der Burg. Please contact Remco Hofland at the above address for inquiries.
Introduction
After several visits to Turkey in summer, and a special offer to fly to Turkey for only DFL 100 (about 50 US$), we decided to try this beautiful country in winter. Our main aim was to check out the marshes in the Çukurova delta (a place that neither of us visited before) and to try and find Great Black-headed Gull. We had vague plans about also checking out Demirkazik (in the Eastern Taurus range - in summer the place for Caspian Snowcock, Radde's Accentor and Red-fronted Serin), a place that we visited before on several occasions; and also to have a look at Soguksu Milli Parki near Kizilcahamam (between Ankara and Istanbul).
We flew with AirAlpha, a Turkish charter company that flies with most EU-countries. We rented a car at AvrasyaRent (by far the cheapest deal - 354 DM/390 DFL/200 US$ per week), and arranged that in advance by phoning with Germany. In Turkey, we got problems because we filled out the credit card slip like we agreed (354 German Marks), but according to the AvrasyaRent agent the slip should account for 68,000,000 Turkish Liras. Because the rate was not exactly known to us, we refused, and he threatened to call the police (but we were already at the airport waiting for our flight to leave). At home we just paid the bill sent to us, so no problems there.
In Turkey, things were a little different than in summer. Most of interior Turkey was covered in snow, a great sight. Of course, the birds were different, but especially in Demirkazik we were hoping to find some of the specialties (mentioned above) but we didn't succeed. Also, according to the distribution maps, in Bireçik, the sandgrouse and Pied Kingfisher should still be there in winter, but we couldn't find those either. From the Çukurova delta we did not have a lot of information, just some small maps and text in a German book (Türkei, Reiseführer Natur, by Aygün and Max Kasparek), so there we just used 'try and error' in getting the right tracks to marshes and lakes. The other visited sites are covered well in various reports.
We covered 2,500 km in just one week, in a Renault 9 Broadway that took super unleaded (about 1.5 DFL/ 0.80 US$ a liter) and had a great trip.
Abbreviations used:
N = North(ern), S = South(ern), W = West(ern), E = East(ern)
imm = immature, ad = adult, summ = summer-plumaged, win = winter-plumaged
Itinerary:
Tue 9th February
AirAlpha flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol left at 23.00 (half an hour delay), landed also in Istanbul, arriving at Ankara Esenboga Airport on...
Wed 10th February
about 4.30. Got into town to collect our rented car. Drove S, and at dawn, we found ourselves at a lake that, according to the map, was called Mugari Gölü. It was frozen for at least half of it, but the other half held many birds. Here we stayed about an hour, after that driving on to Kulu Gölü. Weather was sunny, albeit cold, and after Kulu there was a lot of snow in the fields. The roads however were cleared, so we used the road through Çiftlik and Ihlara to get to Aksaray, and on to Demirkazik, where we birded in the orchards and the gorge near the mountaineering lodge. Dusk around 17.30, dinner in Çamardi, slept at the mountaineering lodge.
Thu 11th February
Got up at 5.30 and walked to the gorge. Dawn at 6.30. Unfortunately, no Snowcocks were calling; we heard some Chukars and Little Owls though. Around 11.00 drove on to Çukurbag and then towards Adana via Pozanti. Sunny with clear sky but a cold wind. All mountaintops covered in snow and a lot of snow also along the roads. Got some money in Tarsus and then drove into the delta, where it was sunny and about 16°C. Our main aim was the Great Black-headed Gull: we were expecting to find it on the beaches in the Çukurova delta. However, due to the large quantities of melt water, there was a marsh in the eucalyptus plantation near Kulakköy and, worse, the road needed to reach the beach was completely flooded. So, this part of the delta didn't produce much. Stayed in Adana in Ak Hotel and ate at a restaurant nearby.
Fri 12th February
At night about 9°C. Got up at 4.30, and drove to Karatas and then over an unsurfaced road towards the mouth of Akyatan Gölü. In the (marshy) dunes just SE of the lake we found some pipits and wagtails, but unfortunately a calling male Black Francolin could not be located (because of barking dogs nearby). On the beach there were some waders and just W of the mouth of the lake a lot of gulls, including 1 Great Black-headed Gull (in full summer plumage). Because the views of the wildfowl on the lake were poor, we decided to try another road in order to get closer.
Back at Karatas we first tried the harbour (nice, with Mediterranean Gull, and lots of Chiffchaffs and some Sylvia warblers in the small trees) but we were summoned to leave by the police. After checking in at Derya Pansion we tried another unsurfaced road a bit further N, and it led us to a creek between the road and the lake, and to the E shores of the lake itself. Good and especially prolonged views of Moustached Warbler proved difficult, but the huge numbers of wildfowl were great. Sunny and 20°C. Via Karatas and Gökçeli we then drove to Tuzla, where we found a lot of Great White Egrets and some gulls, along with the famous Turkish singer Tarkan, who was recording a video at Tuzla Gölü. NE of Tuzla, we followed an unsurfaced road to the SE, towards the W part of Akyatan Gölü. In the village of Innepühüyügü, we finally found some Spanish Sparrows, a species that is harder to find in winter than it is in summer. Also, from this village, great views could be obtained, at dusk, of large numbers of birds congregating in the W part of the lake to spend the night there. Lots of Flamingos, gulls, cormorants, geese, ducks, coots, some cranes and the occasional bird of prey were seen there. Spent the night at Derya Pansion in Karatas.
Sat 13th February
Left Karatas at 6.20, in order to find the marshes near Bebeli, described to us by a local Turk. An unsurfaced and unsignposted road took us to enormous marshes some 15 km E of Karatas (probably the marshes around the Akyayan Gölü), but unfortunately we had the light against us. We tried a road towards the E from Bebeli and found a small reed-fringed canal with a magnificent Smyrna Kingfisher and some Kingfishers, along with Cetti's Warbler. In the next village locals told us that the road was going nowhere, so we returned to Bebeli and crossed the river Ceyhan, and kept on going (N)E. The road took us to a village (which I presume was Kaldirim) and there were some other marshes, still against the light but nearby, and filled with birds. Here, we also saw lots of waders, but most of them were too far out to identify.
On we went to cross the mountains of the E Çukurova delta, in bright sunshine with great views. From Yumurtalik we drove to Ceyhan, to take the brand-new 6-lane highway to the E. Unfortunately, it only took us to Bahçe, where we had to take the old, busy-with-oil-trucks road over the mountains, before we could take the rest of the highway around Gaziantep to Nizip. This highway surely makes it easier going to Bireçik: instead of a day it now took us 3 hours from Ceyhan to Bireçik, where we arrived 14.00.
There we found that all the specialties are gone in winter, even the sandgrouse and Pied Kingfisher. With dark clouds coming in, we spent our time in the deep wadi between Bireçik and Halfeti, and after dinner went to the famous tea garden where in summer we had seen Striated and Scops Owl. Upon entering the garden, we heard Long-eared Owls calling, and the locals showed us these upon asking for 'Baikus' (owl in Turkish).
Slept in Baraj Hotel where they had actual hot water and something that someone might want to call a shower. At night there was enormous rainfall, and in early morning the shingle-bank that the day before held a Common Sandpiper, was completely flooded.
Sun 14th February
So, after another effortless try for Pied Kingfisher, and great views of a Wallcreeper and a Sparrowhawk taking a House Sparrow right before our eyes, we went on to Isikli. There, both Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatch were easy, along with Sombre Tits. The rest of the day was spent driving N-wards, through stretched-out fields white with snow. A short-cut from Tufanbeyli to Develi failed because of too much snow, but the bigger roads were always cleared. Mainly clear sky, but cold.
At Çöl Gölü, the N part of the Sultan Marshes, we expected a lot of water and birds, but apart from distant views of some ducks and gulls nothing was there, so on we went to Göreme. At the end of the eighties, this was a great place, but tourism surely took its toll here. Spent the night at Cave Pansion ("rock-carved rooms"), with own hot shower and toilet for the fixed Göreme-price of 7 US$; dinner at S.O.S. Restaurant (great pide). Cold at night, but no snow.
Mon 15th February
Leaving at 6.00, the route Nevsehir-Kirsehir-Kaman brought us to the marsh at Kizilirmak river where big numbers of coots and ducks could be found. Finally we found a Ferruginous Duck, one we expected to find earlier.
At 10.15, we arrived at the Mugari Gölü, this time completely ice-free with even more birds than 5 days ago. Here we had some rain and the same number of Red-crested Pochards. We took the highway around Ankara to Kizilcahamam, where we went up into the Soguksu Milli Parki and tried to find Krüper's Nuthatch. The park was full of snow, but there were plenty of birds, most of them being Coal Tits. A great surprise were the 9 Black Vultures that came soaring over the valley near the entrance of the park in late afternoon: not only had I read in the book that the birds were absent between November and March, it was also a lifer for me, and they were showing quite well. We spent the night at the Kaplica Hotel (a room with private bath, shower and toilet including breakfast for 2,000,000 TL (about FL 15/ 7.5 US$).
Tue 16th February
8 cm of snow covered our car and the park early in the morning. A walk uphill finally produced 1 Krüper's Nuthatch. A great time we had between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören where the small oak trees held mixed groups of songbirds (mainly finches, buntings and Mistle Thrushes). Hereafter we drove on to Ankara, to Terminal C at Esenboga Ankara Airport, where our plane left at 17.05.
Birds
- Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus
10-2 5+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 10s Akyatan Gölü
15-2 10s Mugari Gölü S of Gölbasi
- Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis
12-2 2 Akyatan Gölü
13-2 4, 2 km E of Bebeli; several Kaldirim, Çukurova delta
15-2 100+ Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili; heard Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis
12-2 1 Akyatan Gölü
- Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis
10-2 several Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi; 2 Kulu Gölü
12-2 7 E of Tuzla; 150+ W part of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 15 Yumurtalik; 3 flying N over Euphrates river, Bireçik
15-2 19 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Great Bittern - Botaurus stellaris
12-2 1 creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
- Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
12-2 3 Akyatan Gölü
--- 2 near Tuzla
--- 33 W part of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 1 on the rocks at Yumurtalik
- Great White Egret - Egretta alba
12-2 4 creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
--- 11 SE of Yemisli
--- 63 E of Tuzla
--- 58 W part of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 2 near Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
--- 2 near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
15-2 20 flying W from the marsh at Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
16-2 1 in the stream at Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse
1 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea
12-2 8 near the mouth of Akyatan Gölü; 7 creek E of Akyatan Gölü; 15 E of Tuzla
13-2 4 near Kaldirim
15-2 1 Gülsehir; 2 Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
16-2 9 at Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse; 1 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Eurasian Spoonbill - Platalera leucorodia
12-2 12 W part of Akyatan Gölü
Bald Ibis - Geronticus eremita
13-2 19 in the cages at the 'Kelaynak' breeding centre in Bireçik (According to the warden, 50 birds are now kept in cages until spring, when they are released)
- Greater Flamingo - Phoenicopterus ruber
10-2 250+ at the Tuz Gölü, just S of Sereflikoçhisar
12-2 20,000+ at W part of Akyatan Gölü, also visible from a distance at the E part of the lake
13-2 65+ near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
- White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons
10-2 170+ Kulu Gölü
--- 1,000+ NE Tuz Gölü
--- 500+ just S of Sereflikoçhisar
12-2 250+ W part of Akyatan Gölü
- Greylag Goose - Anser anser
12-2 1 seen, several heard, W part of Akyatan Gölü
- Common Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna
10-2 40+ Kulu Gölü
12-2 10+ Akyatan Gölü
- Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
10-2 1 Kulu Gölü
--- 17 SE Tuz Gölü
14-2 45+ flying in the distance at Çöl Gölü, N part of Sultan Marshes
15-2 pair at Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse
16-2 2 pairs at Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse; 3 pairs between Kizilcahamam and Çeltikçi
- Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope
10-2 male Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 100s Akyatan Gölü
13-2 10s Kaldirim
14-2 3 Çöl Gölü, N part of Sultan Marshes
15-2 100+ Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 100s S part Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
10-2 pair Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 10s Akyatan Gölü
13-2 10s near Kaldirim
14-2 2 flying N over Euphrates river, Bireçik
15-2 pair Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 300+ N part of Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
--- pair at Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse
16-2 5 pairs between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Gadwall - Anas strepera
10-2 3 pairs Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 20+ Akyatan Gölü
13-2 17 flying over stream E of Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
15-2 10+ Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 38+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Northern Pintail - Anas acuta
10-2 male Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 45+ Akyatan Gölü
14-2 100+ Çöl Gölü
15-2 2 males Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata
10-2 7 males Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 10s Akyatan Gölü
13-2 100s near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
15-2 400+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Common Teal - Anas crecca
10-2 500+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 100s Akyatan Gölü
13-2 4 flying over stream E of Bebeli
--- 10,000s near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
14-2 10s flying N over Euphrates river, Bireçik (some had spent the night in the reedbeds)
15-2 20 Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 1,000s Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- White-headed Duck - Oxyura leucocephala
10-2 396+ W side Kulu Gölü
- Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina
10-2 500+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 male Akyatan Gölü
15-2 2 males Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 500+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca
15-2 male Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
- Common Pochard - Aythya ferina
10-2 100s Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 6+ Akyatan Gölü
15-2 200+ Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 5,000+ Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula
10-2 10s Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
15-2 80+ Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
--- 2 males, 1 female Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Smew - Mergus albellus
15-2 female Mugari Göl, S of Gölbasi
- Black Kite - Milvus migrans
14-2 1 flying E between Nizip and Gaziantep
--- 1 flying N just E of Gaziantep
- Lammergeier - Gypaetus barbatus
16-2 imm patrolling the slopes between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören, around 11.00
- Black Vulture - Aegypius monachus
15-2 9 crossing the valley near the Soguksu Milli Parki entrance, around 16.30
16-2 2 flying W over the slopes between Karacaören and Çeltikçi, accompanied by 2 Golden Eagles and a Long-legged Buzzard
- Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus
10-2 female Kulu Gölü
--- female Tuz Gölü
--- female near Demirkazik
11-2 female near Demirkazik
12-2 male W part of Akyatan Gölü, near Innepühüyügü
15-2 male, 2+ females Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
16-2 female between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus
10-2 female Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 20+ Akyatan Gölü
13-2 3 near Bebeli
--- 5+ Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
15-2 male, 2 females Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
5 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus
14-2 male catching a male House Sparrow, Bireçik
--- male migrating N along Euphrates river, Bireçik
15-2 1 Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili (hunting Goldfinches)
--- female with prey Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
16-2 female along the highway near Ankara
- Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo
10-2 5 between Ankara and Kulu
11-2 6 S of Tarsus, W Çukurova delta
12-2 1 Akyatan Gl; 3 between Karatas and Tuzla
13-2 2 near Bebeli; 1 Kaldirim; 2 between Ceyhan and Bireçik
15-2 1 near Kazan
- Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus
10-2 13 between Ankara and Demirkazik
11-2 3 between Demirkazik and Pozanti
12-2 1 creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas; 1 Yemisli; 1 Tuzla
13-2 2 Kaldirim; 2 between Ceyhan and Bireçik
14-2 1 Bireçik; 6 between Bireçik and Göreme
15-2 13 between Göreme and Kizilcahamam
16-2 4 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören; 1 highway to Ankara
- Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos
10-2 imm gorge just N of mountaineering lodge, Demirkazik
11-2 2 ad perched on the rocks, same gorge, Demirkazik
16-2 2 ad soaring together with 2 Black Vultures and mobbed by a Long-legged Buzzard, between Karacaören and Çeltikçi
Greater Spotted Eagle - Aquila clanga
13-2 1 eagle perched on an island in the marshes near Kaldirim was probably this species: wrong light and distance prevented us from identifying it.
Aquila spec.
11-2 1 flying N between Demirkazik and Pozanti was seen too short for identification.
- Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
10-2 7 between Ankara and Demirkazik
11-2 3 Demirkazik; 5 between Demirkazik and Pozanti
12-2 1 Akyatan Gölü; 4 Tuzla
13-2 7 between Karatas and Bireçik
14-2 1 Isikli
15-2 6 between Göreme and Kizilcahamam
16-2 1 between Kizilcahamam and Ankara
- Merlin - Falco columbarius
10-2 1 hunting sparrows, N end Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Saker Falcon - Falco cherrug
13-2 2 hunting, S of the highway, just N of Gaziantep
- Black Francolin - Francolinus francolinus
12-2 1 calling male, heard in the dunes at the SE end of Akyatan Gölü
- Chukar - Alectoris chukar
10-2 heard Demirkazik
11-2 15+ heard Demirkazik in early morning
13-2 heard in the mountains of E Çukurova delta
- Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus
12-2 1 creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
- Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
10-2 2 Kulu Gölü
12-2 heard, creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
15-2 2 Euphrates river, Bireçik
- Common Coot - Fulica atra
10-2 1,000s Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi; several Kulu Gölü
12-2 1,000s Akyatan Gölü
13-2 25+ Bireçik
14-2 35+ Bireçik
15-2 2,000+ Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili; about 15,000 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Grey-headed Swamp-Hen - Porphyrio poliocephalus
12-2 1 heard at the creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
- Common Crane - Grus grus
12-2 4 flying over the W part of Akyatan Gölü; 3 perched in the water there at dusk
- Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta
12-2 2 Akyatan Gölü
--- 10s W part of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 1,600+ Kaldirim
- Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus
12-2 41 on the beach near the mouth of Akyatan Gölü
--- 130+ on the beach S of Tuzla
- Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola
12-2 2 on the beach near the mouth of Akyatan Gölü
--- 2 on the fields creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
- Northern Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus
10-2 8 E Tuz Gölü
12-2 8+ Akyatan Gölü; 10s on the fields near creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 30+ E of Bebeli; 100s Kaldirim; 92 flying N over Euphrates river, Bireçik
Dunlin - Calidris alpina
13-2 huge numbers of stints near Kaldirim possibly belonged to this species
Little Stint - Calidris minuta
13-2 500+ stints flying around near Kaldirim probably belonged to this species
- Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
12-2 100+ in the fields near creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 100s near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
- Common Redshank - Tringa totanus
12-2 5 near the mouth of Akyatan Gölü; 10+ creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 100s Kaldirim
- Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus
12-2 10+ E Tuzla Gölü, E Çukurova delta
- Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia
12-2 3 Akyatan Gölü
- Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos
13-2 1 Bireçik
14-2 1 Bireçik
16-2 1 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus
11-2 2, 5 km S of Pozanti
12-2 1 creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 heard Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
16-2 1 near Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse
- Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago
12-2 40+ Akyatan Gölü
13-2 several Kaldirim
15-2 1 Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
- Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus
12-2 2 2nd winters in the harbour of Karatas
- Slender-billed Gull - Larus genei
12-2 3 near the mouth of Akyatan Gölü
--- 3 in the harbour of Karatas
--- 56 Tuzla Gölü
13-2 1 2nd winter Yumurtalik
- Little Gull - Larus minutus
13-2 220+ Kaldirim
15-2 1 1st winter Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus
10-2 1,000s sleeping on the ice of Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi; 10s Tuz Gölü
12-2 20+ mouth of Akyatan Gölü; 20+ creek E of Akyatan Gölü; 40+ E of Tuzla
13-2 10s near Bebeli; several Yumurtalik; 10s Bireçik
14-2 10s Bireçik; 10s Çöl Gölü
15-2 10s Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Common Gull - Larus canus
10-2 1 Kulu Gölü; 4 just S of Sereflikoçhisar
13-2 12 near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
15-2 1 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Great Black-headed Gull - Larus ichthyaetus
12-2 ad summ on the beach W of the mouth of Akyatan Gölü
--- 2 ad summ Akyatan Gölü
--- 3 ad (2 summ) and 2 2nd win in the fields E of Tuzla
--- ad summ and 3 1st win flying towards W part of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 ad summ at sea near Yumurtalik
- Caspian Gull - Larus cachinnans
10-2 3 Kulu Gölü
12-2 several at the mouth of Akyatan Gölü; several E of Tuzla
- Armenian Gull - Larus armenicus
12-2 ad, mouth of Akyatan Gölü; several E of Tuzla
13-2 100+ Bahçe
14-2 1 flying N over Euphrates river and 1 1st winter, Bireçik
15-2 2 ad Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili
Caspian/Armenian Gull - Larus cachinnans/armenicus
10-2 12 Tuz Gölü
14-2 40+ Çöl Gölü
- Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis
12-2 2 at sea, mouth of Akyatan Gölü; 1 at sea, Tuzla
13-2 1 at sea, Yumurtalik
- Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
12-2 6 mouth of Akyatan Gölü
- Caspian Tern - Sterna caspia
12-2 2 Akyatan Gölü
- Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus
12-2 2 (win) Akyatan Gölü
- Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus
15-2 230+ flying over Soguksu Milli Parki, at dusk
16-2 13 over Soguksu Milli Parki; 10+ between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Stock Dove - Columba oenas
11-2 10s Tarsus
13-2 1 Yumurtalik
15-2 10+ Kaman
- Rock Dove - Columba livia
10-2 35+ Uluirmak
11-2 2 in the gorge just N of Demirkazik mountaineering lodge
- Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
Commonly recorded, especially in cities; encountered for example in Ankara, Tarsus, Yumurtalik, Bireçik, Gaziantep and so on.
- Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis
13-2 7 Bireçik
14-2 1 Bireçik; 3 Gaziantep
- Long-eared Owl - Asio otus
13-2 2 calling (probably a pair) in the famous Bireçik tea garden, at night
- Little Owl - Athene noctua
10-2 1 Kulu Gölü (a pale individual)
11-2 4 (3 heard only) Demirkazik
- Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
10-2 1 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
12-2 2 Akyatan Gölü
13-2 4 at the small stream just E of Bebeli
--- 1 on a rock in the sea, Yumurtalik, E Çukurova delta
15-2 male Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
- Smyrna Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis
13-2 1 (also heard) at the small stream just E of Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
- Black Woodpecker - Dryocopos martius
16-2 1 heard ('rain call') Soguksu Milli Parki, near the water-bottling factory
- Syrian Woodpecker - Dendrocopos syriacus
10-2 2 Demirkazik
11-2 1 Çukurbag
14-2 1 Isikli
15-2 2 N of Kirsehir
- Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrodopos major
15-2 10+ Soguksu Milli Parki
16-2 many heard, about 5 seen Soguksu Milli Parki
- Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos minor
15-2 female in the small oak trees E of Çeltikçi
- Skylark - Alauda arvensis
10-2 several between Ankara and Kulu
11-2 30+ S of Tarsus, W Çukurova delta
12-2 30+ creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 several near Kaldirim
- Crested Lark - Galerida cristata
As always, this species is very common in Turkey. Many hundreds can be seen in a day, when they run away from under your car. This is the first time, though, that we've seen them in the snow.
- Short-toed Lark - Calandrella brachydactyla
10-2 100s in the fields between Kulu and Kulu Gölü (accompanied by some Calandra Larks)
- Calandra Lark - Melanocorypha calandra
10-2 10s in the fields between Kulu and Kulu Gölü
12-2 3+ creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 3 E of Bebeli; several near Kaldirim
15-2 10s between Cappadokia and Ankara; 7 Kizilirmak river, near Karakeili; 5 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
16-2 several on Esenboga Ankara Airport
- Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris penicillata
10-2 50+ (together with Linnets) at the gorge just N of Demirkazik mountaineering lodge
11-2 8+ at the gorge; 100+ (unmixed) at Çukurbag
- Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta
12-2 4 in the fields near Akyatan Gölü
13-2 3 near Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
14-2 1 flying N over Euphrates river, Bireçik
- Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis
11-2 many S of Tarsus, W Çukurova delta
12-2 10+ mouth of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 several Kaldirim
- Red-throated Pipit - Anthus cervinus
13-2 6 flying overhead and landing in the marsh near Kaldirim, E Çukurova delta
- White Wagtail - Motacilla alba
11-2 1 Tarsus; 100+ in the marshes just S of Kulakköy, W Çukurova delta
12-2 100+ at the mouth of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 several near Kaldirim; 30+ Bireçik
14-2 several Bireçik
- Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea
10-2 1 Uluirmak (near Ihlara)
13-2 1 Yumurtalik; 1 singing in the deep wadi between Bireçik and Halfeti
14-2 1 Bireçik; 1 Göksun
- Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes
13-2 1 in the deep wadi between Bireçik and Halfeti
14-2 2 Isikli
16-2 2 singing Soguksu Milli Parki, Kizilcahamam
- Hedge Accentor - Prunella modularis
10-2 1 Çukurbag
14-2 2 Isikli; 1 Durnalik
16-2 2 next to Kaplica Hotel, Kizilcahamam
- Robin - Erithacus rubecula
11-2 1 between Demirkazik and Pozanti
12-2 3+ near the mouth of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 several near Derya Pansion, Karatas; 1 Yumurtalik
14-2 common Isikli
- Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros
12-2 1 mouth of Akyatan Gölü; 1 harbour Karatas; 1 Derya Pansion, Karatas
13-2 2 just E of Bebeli, E Çukurova delta; 1 Yumurtalik
14-2 1 Isikli
- Common Stonechat - Saxicola torquata
11-2 2 males, 1 female marsh just S of Kulakköy, W Çukurova delta (1 male showed signs of ssp variegata, i.e. white rump, white at base of tailsides, less orange on the breast and more white in the neck)
12-2 5+ mouth of Akyatan Gölü; several throughout the area near E Akyatan Gölü
13-2 several near Kaldirim
- Blue Rock Thrush - Monticola solitarius
11-2 1 at the gorge just N of the Demirkazik mountaineering lodge
- Ring Ouzel - Turdus torquatus
11-2 2+ between Demirkazik and Pozanti
14-2 male Isikli
15-2 male Çeltikçi
16-2 1+ between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Blackbird - Turdus merula
10-2 1 Uluirmak
11-2 1 Demirkazik
12-2 2 Innepühüyügü, SW of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 1 Derya Pansion; 1 near Kaldirim; several in the E Çukurova delta mountains
14-2 10+ Isikli; 1 Pinarlar
15-2 2 Çeltikçi; several Soguksu Milli Parki, Kizilcahamam
16-2 10s singing early in the morning, Soguksu Milli Parki
- Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos
12-2 1 heard creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas; 2 Innepühüyügü, SW of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 1 Derya Pansion; heard near Kaldirim; heard in the E Çukurova delta mountains
14-2 heard at Bireçik; 3+ Isikli
16-2 2 heard Soguksu Milli Parki, Kizilcahamam
- Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus
10-2 1 Demirkazik
11-2 10s between Demirkazik and Pozanti
15-2 common on the slopes between Çeltikçi and Kizilcahamam; several in Soguksu Milli Parki
16-2 several in Soguksu Milli Parki; common, slopes between Kizilcahamam and Çeltikçi
- Graceful Warbler - Prinia gracilis
11-2 heard frequently, seen a few S of Tarsus, W Çukurova delta
12-2 common around Akyatan Gölü
13-2 several near Bebeli and Kaldirim E Çukurova delta
14-2 heard along Euphrates river, Bireçik
- Cetti's Warbler - Cettia cetti
12-2 1 singing (and showing well) mouth of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 1 singing (and showing well) just E of Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
14-2 2 heard singing Bireçik
- Moustached Warbler - Acrocephalus melanopogon
12-2 3 heard, 2 seen creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
- Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca
12-2 1 harbour Karatas
- Common Whitethroat - Sylvia communis
12-2 1 harbour Karatas
Sylvia spec.
14-2 1 Isikli
- Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla
11-2 female eucalyptusplantation near Çatalkeli, S of Tarsus
- Sardinian Warbler - Sylvia melanocephala
12-2 several heard harbour Karatas
13-2 1 heard Derya Pansion; several heard E Çukurova delta mountains
14-2 several heard Isikli
- Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita
11-2 very common S of Tarsus, especially in the orange plantations
12-2 singing mouth of Akyatan Gölü; common harbour Karatas
13-2 several Derya Pansion; singing near 'Kelaynak' breeding station, Bireçik
(All birds had a single-syllable call, reminiscent of Siberian Chiffchaff; most birds seen were brownish above, some greenish; song heard was just like our European birds)
- Goldcrest - Regulus regulus
16-2 1 Soguksu Milli Parki, Kizilcahamam
- Penduline Tit - Remiz pendulinus
12-2 5 creek E of Akyatan Gölü, W of Karatas
13-2 heard just E of Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
- Sombre Tit - Parus lugubris anatoliae
14-2 fairly common at Isikli and Durnalik
- Blue Tit - Parus caeruleus
10-2 heard Elmali
14-2 1 Isikli; 3, 50 km S of Göksun
15-2 1 Soguksu Milli Parki entrance
16-2 2 Soguksu Milli Parki; 3 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Great Tit - Parus major
10-2 1 Uluirmak
11-2 4 Demirkazik
12-2 1 Derya Pansion
14-2 3 Isikli; 25+, 50 km S of Göksun
15-2 several Soguksu Milli Parki
16-2 several Soguksu Milli Parki and between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Coal Tit - Parus ater
15-2 common Soguksu Milli Parki
16-2 common Soguksu Milli Parki
- European Nuthatch - Sitta europaea levantina
15-2 4 Soguksu Milli Parki; 2 Davutlar
16-2 common Soguksu Milli Parki (at least 20 seen)
- Krüper's Nuthatch - Sitta krueperi
16-2 1 Soguksu Milli Parki (between water-bottling factory and largest hotel)
- Western Rock Nuthatch - Sitta neumayer
10-2 2 Uluirmak
11-2 10+ Demirkazik; several Çukurbag
14-2 2 Isikli; 1 Durnalik
15-2 1 Davutlar
- Eastern Rock Nuthatch - Sitta tephronota
14-2 10+ Isikli
- Short-toed Treecreeper - Certhia brachydactyla
16-2 3+ singing Soguksu Milli Parki; 1 heard between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Wallcreeper - Tichodroma muraria
14-2 1 (win) showing well at the cliffs just N of the power-lines, just N of Bireçik
- White-spectacled Bulbul - Pycnonotus xanthopygos
12-2 2 harbour Karatas
13-2 2+ Derya Pansion; several heard in the E Çukurova delta mountains; 5 Yumurtalik
- Common Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
When encountered in the cities, usually in 100s. Not recorded on 11th and 14th.
- Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius (anatoliae)
Birds encountered were very pale in the face, with a restricted all-black crown and all-black malar stripe; mantle colour being vinous, not too dark.
15-2 2 Çeltikçi
16-2 several Soguksu Milli Parki; 4 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Magpie - Pica pica
Fairly common inland, usually in pairs or small groups. Absent from the very snowy areas, such as near Göksun, and in the S (Çukurova delta), and E (Bireçik).
- Yellow-billed Chough - Pyrrhocorax graculus
10-2 1 Demirkazik
- Red-billed Chough - Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
10-2 1000+ flying into the gorge N of the Demirkazik mountaineering lodge, about 16.45
11-2 600+ flying from the gorge in early morning; 30+ 5 km N of Pozanti
- Eurasian Jackdaw - Corvus monedula
10-2 6 Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi; common near Kulu
13-2 common at dusk in Bireçik
14-2 common Bireçik; several near Yesilkent
16-2 several near Kizilcahamam
Corvus monedula soemeringii
10-2 1 in Kulu (between N and E Jackdaws)
- Common Raven - Corvus corax
16-2 2 or 4 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix
11-2 7 Demirkazik
13-2 50+ Bahçe
14-2 common Bireçik
15-2 fairly common between Göreme and Kizilcahamam
16-2 800+ descending from the trees above the Kizilcahamam slaughterhouse
- Rook - Corvus frugilegus
10-2 several S of Ankara; 1,000s between Ankara and Demirkazik
13-2 30+ Gaziantep
14-2 very common at dusk in Bireçik
15-2 1,000s en route between Bireçik and Isikli
- Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus
10-2 100s in the reedbeds at N Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi, at dawn
12-2 fairly common near mouth of Akyatan Gölü
16-2 1 between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
Recorded in small numbers in most cities and towns (except for the very snowy parts).
- Spanish Sparrow - Passer hispaniolensis
12-2 male, 2 females Innepühüyügü, SW of Akyatan Gölü
13-2 7 males, 4 females just N of Karatas
- Rock Sparrow - Petronia petronia
10-2 1 Demirkazik
11-2 10+ Demirkazik; 10+ Çukurbag
13-2 10s sleeping on the power-lines over the deep wadi between Bireçik and Halfeti, at dusk
14-2 several at the cliffs N of Bireçik
15-2 1 Çeltikçi
- Snow Finch - Montifringilla nivalis alpicola
11-2 50+ at the gorge just N of Demirkazik mountaineering lodge
- Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs
Recorded every day, usually in small groups. Seen together with Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Cirl Bunting and Rock Bunting. Heard singing in Soguksu Milli Parki.
- Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla
10-2 20+ (together with Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and Linnets) in the orchards near Demirkazik
11-2 15+ Demirkazik
14-2 10s Pinarlar (along "815")
16-2 3+ between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Hawfinch - Coccothraustes coccothraustes
11-2 1 between Demirkazik and Pozanti
15-2 1 Çeltikçi
- European Serin - Serinus serinus
10-2 10s coming out of the reedbeds of N Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi, at dawn
11-2 fairly common S of Tarsus, W Çukurova delta
13-2 16 orchards N of Bireçik
- Siskin - Carduelis spinus
15-2 1 calling male Mugari Gölü, S of Gölbasi
16-2 1 heard over Soguksu Milli Parki
- Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris (chlorotica)
Recorded on all days, except for 15th, in small numbers (1-10). Some birds that were greener probably belonged to ssp chlorotica, they were recorded at Demirkazik and Isikli.
- Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis
Recorded on all days, except for 14th, in fairly large numbers (10-100). Larger numbers included groups of over 200 at Kizilirmak river, near Karakeçili (flushed by a Sparrowhawk) and near Ankara.
- Linnet - Carduelis cannabina (bella)
Recorded on all days, except for 13th and 15th, in fairly large numbers (10-100). Some birds clearly belonged to ssp bella.
- Crimson-winged Finch - Rhodopechys sanguinea
11-2 male near Çukurbag
- Common Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra
15-2 10+ flying over Mugari Gölü; heard Davutlar; 10+ over Soguksu Milli Parki
16-2 30+ seen and heard Soguksu Milli Parki; heard between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Corn Bunting - Miliaria calandra
Several recorded each day, except for 11th. Most were singing, also many seen on powerlines along the road. Sometimes in mixed flocks, i.e. with Rock and Cirl Bunting and Yellowhammer.
- Yellowhammer - Emberiza citrinella
10-2 40+ orchards near Demirkazik
11-2 30+ near Demirkazik
14-2 4 Isikli
15-2 2 Çeltikçi
16-2 female between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Cirl Bunting - Emberiza cirlus
16-2 at least 4 (of which 3 singing) males and 9 females, between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Rock Bunting - Emberiza cia
10-2 3 orchards near small stream, Demirkazik
11-2 3 at same spot, Demirkazik
14-2 10+ Isikli; several Durnalik
16-2 male, 2 females between Kizilcahamam and Karacaören
- Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus
11-2 2 marsh just S of Kulakköy, W Çukurova delta
12-2 3+ Akyatan Gölü
13-2 1 just E of Bebeli, E Çukurova delta
Butterflies
-
Small White spec - Pieris spec
- Clouded Yellow - Colias crocea
13-2 1 Yumurtalik, Çukurova delta
- Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta
11-2 1 between Pozanti and Tarsus
12-2 1 Karatas
- Painted Lady - Cynthia cardui
14-2 1, 50 km S of Göksun
Several seen in the Çukurova delta.
Dragonflies
- 1 male Darter spec (Sympetrum spec) was seen in the small marsh
S of Kulakköy, S of Tarsus, W Çukurova delta. It was possibly a
Southern Darter / Zuidelijke Heidelibel / Sympetrum meridionale.
Mammals
- (Red) Fox - Vulpes vulpes
10-2 1 Demirkazik
- Common Jackal - Canis aureus
12-2 1 (crossing the road in the headlights) near Solakli, E Çukurova delta
- Porcupine - Hystrix cristata
11-2 1 dead between Tarsus and Adana
- Brown Hare - Lepus europaeus
11-2 1 Demirkazik
- Ibex - Capra ibex sp
11-2 1 male, 7 females on the ridges of the gorge N of the mountaineering lodge, Demirkazik
- Squirrel spec - Sciurus anomalus
15-2 2 on piles of wood near the houses of Davutlar, just S of Soguksu Milli Parki
Bat spec
11-2 lots of small bats were seen flying around above Adana at dusk
13-2 some bigger bats were seen and heard flying around in the Bireçik tea garden at night
This page served with permission of the author by Urs Geiser; ugeiser@xnet.com; November 2, 1999
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