Turkish Delight 2012 - Day 1 and 2

It has been a while since my return from Turkey in May 2012, and due to a busy schedule I have been unable to update this blog with details, anyway I hope to have a bit of spare time over the next few weeks, so here goes. For regular readers to the is blog, this trip followed the same itinerary as the trip in 2011, it was an Ornitholidays trip, co-guided by Mitko Petrakiev and me. We started in the Göksu Delta, before moving onto Curkurbag Village in the Taurus Mountains, Gaziantep and finally Birecik. I kept a daily diary and took many pictures so here goes with the first installment!

Monday 30^th April

Our trip commenced with an early morning flight from Heathrow’s Terminal 3 to Istanbul in Turkey, followed by an onward connection to the southern Turkish airport of Adana. Unfortunately, due to a 30 minute delay with our flight leaving Heathrow and a further 30 minute delay landing at Istanbul, we missed our onward connection. However, due to some extremely efficient ground staff at Istanbul, and by negotiating our passage through the fast track system at Turkish Immigration, we were swiftly booked onto the next flight to Adana. A further delay with this onward flight meant that by the time we arrived at Adana it was almost dark, and after the three hour drive to Tasuçu there was no time for any birding.

Tuesday 1^st May

Our first day was spent around the Göksu Delta, and after the trials and tribulations of the previous day we opted for a leisurely start. The Göksu Delta is one of the most important areas in the region for breeding birds, with over 300 species recorded, and it was our intention to start in the west at a watchtower overlooking a large brackish lagoon and head east along the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Our approach to the lagoon took us over several irrigation canals where we saw our first Little Bittern, Eurasian and Great Reed Warblers, followed by  a single Woodchat Shrike and a fall of Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrikes.

Red-backed Shrike

The scrub around the watchtower was busy with migrants and supported Black Francolins, Lesser Whitethroats, Common Nightingales, Whinchats, Graceful Prinias and Barred Warblers. Continuing along the track we picked up more Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, our first Masked Shrikes, before we noticed a pale and washed out individual that turned out to be an Isabelline Shrike. This bird gave good views within an area of burnt scrub, before disappearing for long periods, only to appear again in the same place just when we had given up any further hope of seeing it. Isabelline Shrike is a vagrant to this area so we were very pleased to have seen it and hoped that it was good omen for the rest of the day.

Lesser Grey Shrike

The bird life present on the lagoon was fairly limited with a few Red-crested Pochards, Ruddy Shelduck and six Black-necked Grebes on the water, whilst Grey and Purple Herons and a lone Eurasian Spoonbill stood in it. Several Marsh Harriers hunted in the distance and a mixed flock of White-winged Black and Black Terns flitted back and forth over the exposed water. A scan of the scrub from the watchtower produced some prolonged views of Black Francolin, more Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrikes, White-spectacled Bulbuls, Blackcaps and another glimpse of the Isabelline Shrike. 

Spur-winged Plover

Continuing in an easterly direction along the southern edge of the lagoon, we saw many Spur-winged Plovers, and occasional migrants which included European Roller and Rufous Bush Robin. A prolonged stop at a known site for Marbled Duck, failed to locate this species but produced a wealth of others. Most notably was an abundance of Thrush Nightingales. There were at least 20 birds flicking in and out of the bushes chasing and croaking at each other. Spotted Flycatchers were also present in large numbers, along with Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, Common Redstarts and a lone Black-eared Wheatear. 

Thrush Nightingale

We continued our journey east, scanning the brackish pools as we went, Yellow Wagtails of the race Motacilla flava feldegg were numerous, but wader were very scarce, with only three Wood Sandpipers, a single Little Ringed Plover and a handful of Kentish Plovers recorded. We headed down to a small fishing creek and immediately picked up a couple of Stone Curlews and six Eurasian Curlews. A scan from a mound at the end of the track produced another Curlew, a couple of Greenshank and Redshank, five Bar-tailed Godwits and two cracking summer plumaged Broad-billed Sandpipers. Continuing east we stopped to scan a flock of birds roosting on another sand spit, this flock included Slender-billed Gulls, Sandwich Terns, a couple of Black-headed Gulls and a Grey Plover, whilst in the field behind us, a small flock of Greater Short-toed Larks fed.

Stone Curlew

Mitko had information about a small colony of Audouin’s Gulls breeding in the local area so we decided to check it out. Our destination was at the end of a series of small tracks which headed out across the marsh so we proceeded with caution, as the track was quite uneven and wet in places. Our first bird was a surprise in the form of a Common Crane, an immature bird that wasn’t in the best plumage, but a great bird nonetheless. Continuing on, the track opened up onto an area of tidal sand that was not safe to drive on, so we parked our vehicles and walked to the waters edge. The sea was easy to scan in the mill pond conditions and we quickly picked up a small group of four Bottle-nosed Dolphins that lazily swam east. 

Scanning along the foreshore produced better numbers of waders than what we had seen all day, including Kentish, Ringed, and Grey Plovers and a small flock of Little Stints, and undoubtedly the best find of the day...a Lesser Sand Plover. We were fortunate to have the other plover species present for size comparison, but even without them there was no mistaking this birds’ identity. It appeared to be in full summer plumage and showed a complete black band over the eyes and forehead enabling us to identify as the race Charadrius mongolus pamirensis. Apparently there are no confirmed records of this species in Turkey, unfortunately we were unable to get pictures to prove it, but at least the whole group got to see it.

With the light fading fast we headed back to our hotel, glimpsing another Black Francolin and the Common Crane again, on the way. 

To be continued.....

The Göksu Delta, Southern Turkey - May 2011(Part 1)

The trip began with a flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Adana in Southern Turkey, via Istanbul, and after a couple of hours driving we arrived at the Lades Hotel, Tasucu which was to be our stop for three nights. This trip was going slightly earlier than many previous trips to the area, (30th April to 9th May), but that added an element of surprise to our trip which made it quite exciting. The first full days birding began with a visit to the Goksu Delta, and a chance to explore the lakes and surrounding wetland and farmland. The Goksu Delta consists of a large flat area where the Goksu river enters the Mediterranean Sea, and includes two lakes, Akgol and Paradeniz, and a huge sand spit which extends into the sea.

The southern watchtower, overlooking Akgol lake, was our first stop, and this gave us the chance to scan the lake and surrounding reeds in search of Purple (grey-headed) Swamphen and Marbled Duck, which are two of the local specialities. I did not see these species,  but enjoyed scanning over the reeds in search of different raptor species in amongst  the common Western Marsh Harriers.

Western Marsh Harrier - T. D. Codlin

The heat haze combined with the size of the lake made viewing difficult at times, and having to scan through hundreds of Common Coot in search of a Swamphen did not inspire me. However the mixed flock of White-winged, Black and Little Terns soon boosted the enthusiasm, and as I continued to scan a Great Bittern got up from the reeds and flew north whilst two White Pelicans soared overhead. Garganey, Ruddy Shelduck, Purple and Grey Herons were all recorded, and a flock of Alpine Swifts filled the skies above.

The nearby reeds and scrub were fairly dense and viewing was again difficult but we did end up with good views of a pair of Blackcaps, several Graceful Prinias, White-spectacled Bulbuls and a couple of Spur-thighed Tortoise.

Spur-thighed Tortoise - T. D. Codlin

After the southern watchtower, we continued through the dunes and pools in search of migrants. Apparently the lake was holding more water than usual and therefore most of the waders were on the pools, but unfortunately for us we had arrived on a Sunday, along with  most of the residents of the nearby village, so many of the birds had gone. Wading birds were still present in good numbers though with Little Stints being the most numerous. Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and Ruff were all recorded, but the most vocal and striking wader species were the Spur-winged Plovers.

Spur-winged Plover - T. D. Codlin

These birds were extremely photogenic, although they were constantly taking flight to 'see-off' the Marsh Harriers as they flew overhead. The Spur-winged Plover is considered to be a scarce breeder in South-eastern Europe, but in the Goksu Delta it was relatively common.

Spur-winged Plover T. D. Codlin

Of the passerine birds recorded in the Goksu Delta by far the most striking was the Yellow Wagtail, which in this part of Europe is represented by the subspecies Motacilla flava feldegg or Black-headed Wagtail. I have seen this subspecies many times before, but have never noticed the subtle white stripe between the black hood and the yellow on the cheek, at first I thought it might be a trick of the light but it was present on all the male birds I saw.

Black-headed Wagtail T.D.Codlin

For lunch we stopped near a narrow channel which links Lake Akgol with Lake Paradeniz; a sand bar extends in a southerly direction from this point, this provided an ideal roosting location for a few Yellow-legged Gulls, Sandwich, Common, a couple of Caspian Terns and a lone Grey Plover. A handful of Greater Flamingos fed in the lake behind. A chance meeting with a Belgian Birder tipped us off to the presence of a Cyprus Pied Wheatear in the area, and it was not long before we found the bird. Good views confirmed the identity of the bird, but it disappeared before I could get any photos.

Squacco Herons T.D.Codlin

Continuing east the farmland was an excellent area to explore, White Stork and Squacco Herons fed along the damp areas and Crested Larks were abundant along the tracks. Black Francolins were calling from the nearby fields, presumably from a suitably prominent perch, but despite our best efforts we were unable to find one.

White Stork T.D.Codlin

Our second days birding (2nd May) began with a visit to the north of Akgol Lake and the northern watchtower. Overnight rain had brought about a fall and migrants were everywhere. Whinchats, Red-backed Shrikes, Spotted Flycatchers, Lesser Whitethroats, Black-headed Buntings and European Bee-eaters were all recorded but the highlight was a flock of around 20 Red-footed Falcons.

Black-headed Bunting T.D.Codlin

The male birds were stunning and showed off their silvery primaries as they hovered over the fields, whereas the females showed off their pale rufous underparts. Six Short-toed Eagles, a 'Steppe' Buzzard, two Common kestrel and a Hobby were also present, adding to the spectacle.

Female Red-footed Falcon T.D.Codlin

As we continued along the track we encountered several Eastern Olivaceous Warblers, Common and Great Reed Warblers and a Plain Tiger Butterfly. A singing Moustached Warbler was present in the reeds by the northern watchtower. I have seen this species on Majorca before and therefore was slightly surprised to the see how pale the underparts were, and then noted that this part of Turkey is represented by the subspecies Acrocephalus melanopogon mimicus.

Moustached Warbler ssp. mimicus T.D.Codlin

We spent a while looking at this bird as it sang from a prominent perch, its distinctive song and short primary projection confirmed its identity, then it was time to move on. Finished with the Goksu Delta, we next headed inland to the village of Uzunchaburc for the afternoon, I will write about that in my next post.