Turkey is located at the crossroads of continents. The bird diversity here is one of the most extense in the paleartic countries. Over 460 species, including 330 breeding birds can be seen. Turkey holds the stronghold of the world population of 20 species, such as the near-endemic Krueper’s Nuthatch, Armenian Gull, White-throated Robin, Finsch’s Wheatear and Crimson-winged Finch. Globally Threatened Species regularly occur and can be observed easily, such as Marbled Teal, Dalmatian Pelican, Lesser Kestrel, Greater Spotted Eagle and Sociable Plover. Turkey’s rich bird diversity is not only enriched by the forests, steppes and coastland, but also includes species from Central Asian steppes, Iranian mountains, the Middle East and Africa. An 11-day birdwatching tour featuring the very best of eastern Turkey, with , Caspian Snowcock, Iraq Babbler, Radde’s Accentor and Chestnut-shouldered Petronia amidst a host of special birds - and a stunning scenery, including wetlands, mountain and steppe.
Itinerary
Day 1. Flight from London (or wherever) to Kayseri, via Istanbul. (We will tell you the flight options from the UK – expect your return fare to be around £300. You will arrive in the afternoon and the first night will be spent in Kayseri.
Day 2. We will have a late morning start to recover from the flight. Just one hour away lies the extensive wetland of Sultan Marshes were we will spend some time before the lunch. Later we will drive south, through the treeless steppic countryside alond the foothills of Aladalar, to ÇamardI, where we will be based.
Day 3. We will have an early start and drive up to the summit of Demirkazik , by tractor, in order to see Caspian Snowcock at dawn. Later we will have enough time to get views of Radde's Accentor, White-throated Robin, Finsch's Wheatear, Red-fronted Serin and Crimson-winged Finch. Wallcreeper and Lammergeier also occur here. Overnight in ÇamardI.
Day 4. There will be another chance to see the snowcock (if we missed yesterday). In the afternoon we will drive down to the Mediterranean coast for our first visit to the Göksu Delta. Overnight in Tasacu.
Day 5. Göksu Delta is a complex of habitats, with long sand dunes, a freshwater lake named Akgöl, brakish lagoons at Paradeniz Dalyan and sub-tropical agricultural fields. The specialities there are White-throated Kingfisher, Spectacled Bulbul and Graceful Prinia, together with Marbled Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Black Francolin, Purple Swamphen, Spur-winged Lapwing and Audouin's Gull. In the hills along the River Göksu we will explore the Mediterranean scrub in search of Olive-tree and Rüppell's Warblers, Krüper's Nuthatch and Masked Shrike. Overnight in Tasacu.
Day 6. We will start driving east today and visit the newly discovered Kirmitli Reserve to look for White-throated and Pied Kingfishers. In the afternoon we will stop in an area of dry oak scrub near Kirmirli and Durnalik to look for Red-tailed Wheatear and Upcher's Warbler, together with White-throated Robin, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Western Rock Nuthatch, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Sombre Tit and Cinereous Bunting. Overnight in Gaziantep.
Day 7. We will again visit Isikli and Durnalik areas in case there are species missing from our list. Around noon we will arrive at Birecik, the most visited town by birders along the River Euphrates, and home to Northern Bald Ibises. Overnight in Birecik.
Day 8. Birecik is a very rich area of rare habitats and birds. Pistachio orchards, woods along the river Euphrates (Firat) and calcerous wadis are home to Bald Ibis, See-see Partridge, Pallid Scops Owl, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Bimaculated Lark, Upcher's and Ménétries' Warbler, Iraq Babbler, Dead Sea Sparrow, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Pale Rockfinch and Desert Finch. We will also visit the rolling hills and rocky cliffs along the Euphrates in search of Eastern Rock Nuthatch and Bonelli's Eagle. Back in Birecik, we will visit a regular colony of Iraq Babblers and after dark we will have time to search for owls. Overnight in Birecik.
Day 9. Birding in Birecik and Halfeti. Driving north, we will stop at an ancient village with lots of tumulus inhabited by Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. We will also check a site for Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Cream-coloured Courser and Great Bustard. Overnight in Adyaman.
Day 10. We’ll leave early in the morning to see the sunrise at Mount Nemrut. This is the place for Red-tailed Wheatear and in the foothills we will look for Greater Rock Nuthatch, Cinereous Bunting and Pale Rock Sparrow. Overnight in Adiyaman.
Day 11. Today we will make our way to nearby Adiyaman Airport, from where you will fly back to Istanbul and continue to UK.
Flights: It has always been our policy to allow clients to book their own flights, purely for convenience and cost and whilst we would normally start and finish our tours at the point of entry to the country concerned (Istanbul in this case) on this occasion it is simplest if you book your flights via Istanbul, right through to Kayseri (for the start of the tour) and back from Adiyaman (at the end of the tour). This can easily be on line or by telephone within the UK and we will provide all the necessary information for clients to do that. You should note that flights with Turkish Airlines, for the same dates in 2011, the price is under £300 return for the four flight sectors.
Visa: A Turkish visa can be purchased at GBP10 on arrival at Istambul airport.
