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

2007: 14.5 15 Akgöl, Göksu Delta – 14.5 2 Paradeniz Point, Göksu Delta – 16.5 25 Kavdarli-Sultan
Sazligi – 21.5 1 Serpmetas – 26.5 15 Tuzla Gölü S of Adana – 26.5 5 Tuzla-Adana.
We retain nominate ssp. as explanation to our birds, which shows some variation regarding
plumage, especially concerning rufous tinge to crown. Certain birds from the south indeed rather
"red-crowned", but in same areas, bird with barely any reddish in crown present. Also, upperparts
varies from slightly to heavily streaked within same areas. Underparts otherwise very whitish, the
dark patch at the sides of the breast was sometimes invisible (in crouched posture), but when neck
strectched, appeared distinct.
The song was short, performed in "short steps", ans lasting at max. 5-6 seconds; a monotomous,
dry rattling with handly any imitations.
Mainly seen in dry, flat arable land and semi-derest with small herbs and short grassy vegetation -
in Göksu and Tarsus numereous in same areas as Crested Lark, in Central Anatolia in same areas as
Calandra Lark and Skylark.
167. Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens Dværglærke
2007: 21.5 3 Aydinlar – 21.5 2 Patnos-Bulanik – 21.5 2 Bulanik – 24.5 1 Damlica.
Rather common in agricultural landscape and natural steppe with low vegetation in the East. Rather
common Bendimahi Marshes and to the north and west of Van Gölü. Noted westwards to around
Birezik (Blomdahl 2007).
Compared to Asian Short-toed Lark appears very slightly more well-marked in breast and in
general with more dark in tip of bill, but differences are argumentably small. However, it was not
possible to make detailed studies and to document the tail-pattern (outer tail-feathers with dark
innerweb in Lesser, all white in Asian) We noted the song to include even more imitations, and to
be performed from slightly lower bowes, few meters above the ground. The “rubberball” song flight
and the plumage was surprising similar to the distinct form of Indian Sandlark C. raytal
krishnakumarsinjii occuring in Gujarat, India.
The bird 24.5 looked paler than birds from Aydinlar-Durnalik area, and may have belonged to
Asian Short-toed Lark.
168. Asian Short-toed Lark Calandrella cheelensis aharoni Mongolsk Dværglærke
2005: 15.5 55 Sultan Sazligi.
2006: 17.5 10 Sultan Sazligi.
2007: 16.5 45 Sultan Sazligi – 16.5 10 Ovaciftlik, Sultan Sazligi – 17.5 3 Cöl Gölü.
This distinct form, often treated as a species separate from Lesser Short-toed Lark (as we do here)
was studied and photographed for several hours. The taxon appears rather large and greyish for a
"Lesser Short-toed", with similar clear primary projection compared to the (about) non-existing of
Short-toed Lark. Appears rather full-feathered - somewhat "fluffy" compared to what is expected
from Lesser Short-toed and especially Short-toed Lark (the latter often gives a slim impression).
All birds were overall grey and rather uniform with narrow, but mainly rather distinct dark crown
and mantle streaks, the latter with more variation than in crown; some just narrowly streaked, others
with broader, more distinct and blackish streaks. Underparts very pale sandy grey, invariably with a
evenly distributed band of narrow streaks across the breast. In some, these streaks were very
indistinct, in others broader and more distinct; such birds often showed streaking continuing onto
flanks. Head pattern weak with the dark eye surrounded by a broader pale area and narrow dark
eye- and malar streaks, creating a "sleepy look" - never disturbing a rather unpatterned appearance .
Supercilium at most slightly paler, never distinct (although with individual variation, and birds with
stronger pale supercilium have been noted (Niemi 2000). The bill was short and conical, appearing