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

Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca
Cypernstenpikker
Breeds in Cyprus only, and winters NE Africa. Over-shooters are probably regular along the SE
Mediterranean Coast, especially late March-April (Harry J. Letho, photoes).
Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens
Klippestenpikker
Breeds at closest in N Iraq. Vagrant to Turkey, but could well prove to breed in the extreme SE -
areas mostly ignored by visiting birders according to the political situation there. Breeds in barren,
rocky country with gorges and wadis, lava plains and in semi-desert.
I have found this species in such habitat in Israel between Eilat and Negev, where local dense
populations (somewhat recalling the situation of Finch´s Wheatear in E Turkey). To be looked for
in the least vegetated "moon-scapes" aviable! ID coverts well in the "standard litterature", a more
detailed treatment of ssp. including a large photo series (Boon 2004) is further recommanded
reading.
Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti
Ørkenstenpikker
Irregular, and probably random breeder in desert near Birezik, where breeding 1985 (Kirwan 2000)
Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax
Cypernsanger
Very rare visitor in spring; overshooters from the Cyprus population of this Cyprus endemic.
Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus Dværgsanger
Recently discovered in the extreme southeast. First record was 2-3 singing 1 km. South of the
junction of the Catak and the Bahcesaray road (app. 1 hour drive SW of Lake Van) and 2 singing in
2005 16.5 km. north of Catak (Dutch Birding 27:281). To to be looked for in low mountain scrub
with scattered trees (especially acacias), especially between 2000 and 3000 meters near the borders
to Iran and Iraq. No observed at the sites 2006-2007.
The species is only goldcrest-sized, but clearly a Phylloscopus, looking similar to a miniature
Chiffchaff with plumage and bare parts colouration similar to taxon tristis, appearing rather greyish
upperparts (with slightly browinsih tinge to hindback and wings) and pale greyish underparts. The
tail is darker and the white supercilium most distinctive in front of the eye, often meeting over base
of bill; the supercilium is sometimes conspicious even behind the eyes. In such cases, gives an
impression of Hume´s Warbler lacking wing-bars (own obs., UAE). Shares the nervous tail-and
wing movements with Chiffchaff. Song a short, very characteristic, high-pitched serie: "zitt-zytt,
zittelitt-zilitt", quite unlike other Phylloscopus warblers, but more like an exited Goldcrest, and has
a touch of the rhythm of Short-toed Treecreeper. Call is frequently heard, and may prove the way of
tracking the species: a short, ofte double "tjep-tjep", slighly recalling House Sparrow or
Raddes´Warbler (information based on Svensson 2001, own obs. UAE Nov. 2002).
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagenus
Ørkendompap
Very scarce breeder, probably irregular (2500 m. (normally > 3000 m), but make
seasonal altitude movements to lower altitudes, with e.g. 200 Kazbeki, Georgia following snowfall