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Bird watching in Turkey
The country encompasses two main routes for birds migrating en mass.
Twice a year, the land and wetlands of the country offer
hospitality to migrating birds as well as birds that breed here.
Turkey's vast land of 779,000 square kilometres, surrounded on three
sides by seas, serves as a bridge between three continents. A large
variety of climatic zones co-exist due to its topography. Although
located in the Palearctic zone, especially in the Southeast and the
East, the Influence of oriental and Ethiopic (African) elements are
observable. The Igdir-Aralik triangle and the Hakkari-Van plateau
exhibit the influence of Syrian Desert flora and fauna; the Hatay-Amanos
bridge exhibits elements of Africa. In the Northeast, there are examples
of cold steppe, semi-Siberian environments. Due to the variety of
habitats, Turkey is considered by many to be the best country for birds
and birding in Europe.
As it is impossible to come enough close to birds, binoculars are
the most basic equipment for close observation. In open areas, distant
lands, telescopes made for this aim are also very beneficial. During the
observation period, a note book, which is required for registry, should
not be forgotten. Also a guide book including bird species will be very
beneficial.
During the observation, there are some basic rules to be obeyed. First
of them is not to disturb the birds. You should not enter their nesting
areas, and take eggs or nest material. At the end of the observation no
property should be left within the region.
Best regions for Bird watching in the Province of Mugla:
Bodrum and Milas Gulluk Delta
Bird Species: The lake hosts a huge number of wintering water birds
(max.~50000), including cormorant , pygmy cormorant , Red-crested
pochard and coot .
Köycegiz Lake
Bird Species: It hosts huge number of wintering water birds (max.
~120.000), including cormorant, pygmy cormorant, Red-crested
pochard and coot .
Gökova wetland, small and very easy to reach, especially in April/May for migration
