TURKEY - a report from a birdwatching trip to Central ... - Netfugl.dk

2005: 19.5 4 males + 1 female South Van Marshes (Gem site 1) - 20.5 1 male South Van Marshes
(Gem site 2).
2006: 21.5 3 males+3 females Kars.
2007: 20.5 3 (1 male+2 females) Kars – 21.5 4 (2 males+2 females) Aydinlar.
150-250 pairs breeds Turkey in small, brackish wetlands with extensive reed beds (Tucker & Heath
1994). Several wetlands around Ardahan looked promising for the species.
The Kars site is situated along D070 13 km. from Kars in the direction towards Tuzluza/Igdir. It lies
immediately at the road-side. A hill with a large mast is found in the background. The site is even
noted by Hendriks 2004, who “placed it” 35 km. from Kars, which is not true.
Other hot spots are the shores of Erzek Gölü and Bendimahi Marshes at Van Gölü, less frequently
observed Eregli, Nigde and Sultan Marshes (at latter site, 20 pairs breeds). In 2007, we observed 4
in a small lake 3 km. E of Aydinlar, opposite Van Gölü (Green & Moorhouse 1995, Magnin &
Yarar 1997, Lindbladh et al. 2002, own obs.). Could occur in any suitable wetland in East Turkey.
Turkey holds 90% of the World winter population of the species, with max. being 11.000 at Burdur
Gölü. In late summer gathers in flocks at Kulu and Arin Gölü (Anstey 1989).
43. Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca fusca Fløjlsand
2005: 17.5 1 Aksas Gölu – 17.5 3 Cildir Gölü.
A small, isolated population is found in remote lakes in eastern Turkey (and at Nevrud Dagi near
Tatvan, Van Gölü). We were curious in observing possible plumage differences between these
isolated population and West European birds, as both the Siberian form stejnegeri and the Nearctic
form deglandtii at least regarding males differs clearly from each other (see e.g. Garner 1999,
Garner et al. 2004) and even at distance would be separable. In moderate distance these Turkish
delights showed head-shape identical to fusca.
44. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Lammegrib
2005: 14.5 1 adult Kalki Dag, Aladag Mountains - 18.5 1 adult Ishik Pasa.
2006: 18.5 1 ad. Gölgurt north of Gelinkaya – 18.5 1 ad. Maden Köprubasi – 22.5 1 ad. Ishak Pasa.
2007: 18.5 2 ad. Ovitdagi Gecedi -19.5 1 ad. Savsat.
Lammergeier has a stable population on 100-500 (800) pairs in Turkey, where found in high
mountain areas throughout the country, above the tree line and normally > 1000 m. of altitude (seen
most frequent at 1500-3000 m.) (Gensbøl 1994, Forsman 1997). Often found Aladag (around
Demirkazik, Kalki Dag, Pozanti), Artvin and Sivri Kaya area, especially at Ovitdagi Gecedi (superb
views 2007!) and the valleys further south towards Ispir.
45. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Gåsegrib
2005: 17.5 10 near carcass Ardahan.
2006: 16.5 1 Kalki Dag – 21.5 1 Ishak Pasa.
2007: 14.5 1 imm. Mersin – 15.5 2 Imamli – 22.5 1 Sucete, Raman Dagi – 23.5 4 Bucak.
100-1000 pairs breeds Turkey, which is one of the countries with a decrease of the population. A
formerly reliable site is the gorge 6 km. E of Ispir (also for Cinereous Vulture and Imperial Eagle,
Schwalbe 2001), but none there in 2006.
Scarce on migration, with autumn counts of 30 NE Pontics and 125 Belen Pass (Shirihai et al.
2000).
46. Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus Munkegrib
2006: 18.5 3 ad. Gödker near Mercan.
2007: 18.5 1 Gödker near Mercan.