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

2006: 25.5 2 Birezik 3-4 km. north of the bridge, in almond groves along eastern shore of river
Euphrates – 26.5 4 Birezik fruit plantations.
2007: 25.5 4 Birezik plantations.
Breeds in dry lowland, where preferring groves with well spread trees, plantations (especially of
pistachio near Birezik) and open oak growths (Nemrud Dagi). Often sings from electric wires.
Locally common, but very local Southern Turkey with the Birezik population (incl.Halfeti) as the
best known, but may well prove to be more widespread; also frequently seen Nemrud Dagi (oak
plantations between Karakus and Settimio Severo´s roman bridge in Narince; 4.6 2007 ca. 10
Hutkög between Nemrut Dagi and the ferry crossing) and in Cizre area (Green & Moorhouse 1995,
Occhiato 2001, Hendriks 2004, Hans Rudne in e-mail).
275. Pale Rock Sparrow Carpospiza brachydactyla Lys Stenspurv
2005: 20.5 1 Sariskana 15 km W of Baykan - 21.5 1 "Ibis Wadi", Birezik.
2006: 24.5 25 Nemrut Dagi – 25.5 2 “Ibis Wadi”, Birezik – 26.5 4 “Ibis Wadi”, Birezik.
2007: 22.5 1 singing Suceke, Raman Dagi.
Local, nomadic breeder in the southernmost part of Turkey from Gaziantep and eastwards. Found
on arid hillsides with ravines, slopes and low grasses; sometimes more well-grown low thickets and
growths, normally >1500 m. Arrives very late, from mid May to breeding sites, thus easier recorded
in summer. The strange, cikada-like song is the best way to localize this species.
Other sites, where the species have been reported from regularly includes Durnalik, in "the
moonscape" = the highest, least vegetated parts of the small mountain areas present, see direction in
Gosney 1991). At Birezik, the dry parts and grassy slopes of the "Ibis Valley" is the most reliable
site. At Nemrud Dagi near Adiyaman found in small rocky areas between Kahta and the
archeological site Karakus, especially after the military barracks, but also in upper parts above the
tree limits close to the archeological site (Occhiato 2001, own obs.). In Nemrud Dagi near Tatvan
("the wrong Nemrud Dagi for Red-tailed Whearear”) in the higher parts. In Van Hills, at the site
noted for Grey-necked Bunting.
In some years more widespread in the SE Turkey (Adiyaman area and E to areas south of Van (e.g.
reported Gölünear Ogakly, Kozluk, Bitlis and Baykan; Occhiato 2001, Hendriks 2004). In NE part
more irregular, but a good number noted summer 2001 between Refahiye and Ispir (Niemi 2001).
Recent peak years have been 2001 and 2006, the latter a peak year in Middle East (Y. Perlman
pers. comm.). 2007 was a rather poor year. Apart from our observation, 20 was observed late May
at Durnalik. Negative reports from Nemrud Dagi late May (Christian Leth & Olof Jönsson in sms),
but one noted early May (P. ter Heide in e-mail).
276. Snow Finch Montifringilla nivalis Snefinke
2005: 14.5 20 Cimbar Bogazi, Demirkazik - 16.5 4 Ovitdagi Gecedi - 18.5 2 Tenduruk Gecedi
Rakum - 18.5 1 Serpmetas.
2006: 16.5 55 Demirkazik – 16.5 1 Cucurbak – 18.5 6 Ovitdagi Gecedi – 19.5 4 Ovitdagi Gecedi –
22.5 2 (nesting pais) Ishak Pasa – 22.5 2 Tendürük Gecedi.
2007: 16.5 20 Cimbar Bogazi, Demirkazik – 16.5 2 Demirkazik – 18.5 2 Maden Köprubasi-
Ovitdagi Gecedi – 20.5 2 Ardahan-Kars – 20.5 6 Sogoksu – 20.5 1 Gülizar – 21.5 3 (incl. pair with
nest) Sogoksu – 21.5 3 Serpmetas.
Local in high mountain areas >1700 m, well above treeline in grassy and stony hillsides with large
rocks and cliffs. Often feeds on sloping grassy hill-sides. A true mountain bird, which somewhat
isolated population in Aladag range and again from NE Pontic mountain and on the borders to
Caucasus; also high mountains E of Lake Van, where often seen in passes.