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

described in Gosney 1992. Alternatively camp within the remote area of Aladag (see direction in
Kristensen 1999, commenting on Gosney 1992).
Later in the summer, the birds disappears further up in the mountains. A new site - the "chromium
mine" (Ganch 2000) is then the most acceccible place. Direction: from village of Pinarbasi a few
km. north of Demirkazik, a dirt road leads to the north. Follow the track for 2,75 km until it curves
uphills. Drive for further 4.1 km. to a saddle. A further 350 m. a dirt track (passable with 4 wheel
drive only) goes for some km´s.until it ends. From here walk towards the east to a deserted house
(the chromium mine) and scan the hills. By other cars follow the main road for a further 1-1 km. to
a small stream with signs of a camping site. From here follow a track leading south onto the
deserted house. The walk takes 45-60 minutes.
Also found between Ovitdagi Gecedi and Sivri Kaya (further along the track described under
Caucasian Black Grouse, where also heard throughout the day from the main road (Ortvad 2004,
Malling Olsen 2005); observed at the “Black Grouse outlooks” 4-4.9 km. south of the minaret in
Sivri Kaya and up to 6-7km.S of Sivri Kaya (Johansson et al. 2002, Lindblad 2006, Olof Jönsson
per sms); also Ayder near Artvin (H. Vikkelsøe Rasmussen in litt.).
As for Caucasian Black Grouse, May is far the easiest month, as the birds display lower down than
in summer.
TheTurkish population is estimated to 200-2000 pairs, restricted to the Aladag/Demirkazik range,
the Pontic mountains (Kackar Daglari, Sivra Kaya area, Ayder near Artvin) and Cilo/Sat Daglari
near Hakkari. Found on steep slopes with low vegetation with areas with large rocks, (used for
song-posts), well above the tree line in the alpine and subalpine zone between 1800 and 4000
meters (lowest early in the season, by mid summer normally well >3000 m).
The population in Turkey remains poorly known, apart from the Demirkazik population;
investigations of mountain ranges of Erciyes Dagi (south of Kayseri) and Mount Ararat-range could
lead to discovery of new populations, although Hasan Safak mentions that the species is not present
at Erciyes Dagi.
74. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Sort Frankolin
2005: 13.5 1 male + 1 female Akgöl, Göksü delta - 22.5 2 heard gravel pits north of Birezik, at the
western bank of Euphrates.
2006: 14.5 2 males flushed at observation tower Akgöl, Göksu Delta.
2007: 14.5 3 singing Akgöl, Göksu Delta – 24.5 1 Gravel Pits, Birezik – 26.5 4 Gravel Pits, Birezik.
Local and scarce breeding bird in Turkey, probably