Download 2014 Brochure (.pdf) - Ornitholidays

Iraq Babbler
White-winged Snowfinch
T U R K E Y
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Adana and transfer
to Tasucu
Days 2-3 Tasucu
Days 4-5 Curkurbag
Day 6 Gaziantep
Days 7-9 Birecik
Day 10 Depart Adana
Party Size
Maximum of 12 clients (two leaders with
more than six clients).
Accommodation
Comfortable accommodation in twin/double
and single rooms, with private facilities.
Bush Robin. In the afternoon we head into the
mountains, looking for Golden Eagles flying over
the ridges. We stay for two nights at our guest
house, which looks out at the magnificent
Demircazik Peak.
We make a very early start this morning for an
exceptional birding trip. We ascend a rough track
to 1,500m (and possibly to 2,300m depending
on the seasonal snow level), by tractor and
trailer. Getting to our observation point by the
first light will allow us to find the elusive Caspian
Snowcock more easily. Here we can enjoy our
morning tea and coffee and a light breakfast. In
the area there are many other alpine species,
including Radde's and Alpine Accentors, Alpine
and Red-billed Choughs, Crimson-winged Finch
and White-winged Snowfinch. Later, we descend
and have a traditional breakfast, or possibly
lunch, depending on the time and the altitude we
have reached. Some interesting species can be
found near our accommodation, including Rosecoloured
Starlings (if they have returned from
wintering in India) and Black-headed and Ortolan
Buntings. In the afternoon, we may visit a
spectacular gorge which could produce
Wallcreeper, Red-billed Chough, Ring Ouzel,
Red-fronted Serin and Chukar.
Day 6
If there was unfavourable weather yesterday
morning, we can go back to the same site and try
again for Caspian Snowcock and other alpine
species, otherwise we can visit another valley for
any missing species. Later, we continue our drive
south, heading to Osmaniye and the Kirmitli Bird
Paradise. At a spectacular site, overlooking the
Seyhan River, famous for its kingfishers, heronry
and egret colonies, we have an excellent chance
of seeing all three species of kingfishers in the
region - namely White-throated, Pied and
Common - almost at the same spot. We can also
look for Squacco, Grey and Black-crowned Night
Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets and Little Bittern. In
the afternoon we walk in rocky hills and scrubby
valleys near Gaziantep, where White-throated
Robin and Kurdish Wheatear are our main targets
and other species may include Cinereous Bunting,
both Western Rock and Eastern Rock Nuthatches,
Bimaculated Lark, Pallid Swift and possibly
Trumpeter Finch. We stay overnight in Gaziantep.
Days 7 to 9
We visit some of the same sites this morning,
looking for any birds we may have missed
yesterday. Later, we head for Birecik, home of the
semi-wild Bald Ibis colony. After lunch, we
search in the shelter of the pistachio orchards for
Yellow-throated Sparrow, Rufous Bush Robin
and Desert Finch. Later we check in at our hotel
for a three-night stay. The next day we may have
some pre-breakfast birding near to our hotel,
where we search for the rare Iraq Babblers. After
breakfast we continue to explore the area, and
hope to find Dead Sea Sparrow, Ménétries' and
Upcher's Warblers, Little Swifts and Pygmy
Cormorants. In the afternoon we visit a site to the
north of Birecik, to search for Bonelli's Eagle and
other species. After dinner, we visit a tea garden,
where hopefully we can find the pair of Pallid
Scops Owls that nest here.
For our last full day we visit a reserve where we
can look for See-see Partridge, Pin-tailed
Sandgrouse, Pale Rock Sparrow, Desert and
Lesser Short-toed Larks and Finch's Wheatear.
On the way back, we can check a site that holds
a colony of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. In the
evening we have our farewell dinner and last
night in Birecik.
Day 10
This morning we make the transfer back to
Adana airport, and catch our return flight to
Istanbul, where we connect with our flight to
London, arriving in the early evening.
Transport
By private coach or minibus.
Includes
All flights, meals, accommodation, transport,
entry fees, services of the leaders, airport
taxes and tips.
Gradings
Good
200
Warm
Low
Special
Moderate
Good
Moderate
Scheduled
See-see Partridge
To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445
137