Finding Birds in Western Turkey

Western Turkey makes an excellent destination for birdwatchers, especially those with non-ornithological members of their family to consider. The holiday resorts of Bodrum, Dalyan, Patara, Olu Deniz, Foca, Kusadasi, Antalya and Manavgat all offer enjoyable birdwatching within walking distance of the hotels. Species such as Black-headed and Cretzschmar's Buntings, Olivaceous and Rüppell's Warblers, Masked Shrike, Roller, Krüper's Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Red-footed Falcon and Short-toed Eagle should all be seen fairly easily, at least in spring. And from all these places it's easy to make a day trip either to a wetland or a mountain area in search of birds such as White-breasted Kingfisher, Dalmatian Pelican, Ruddy Shelduck, Spur-winged Plover, Red-fronted Serin, White-throated Robin and Finsch's Wheatear.

This book gives details of where to see all these birds plus other specialities including Olive-tree Warbler, Cinereous Bunting, Green Warbler, Crimson-winged Finch, Audouin's Gull, Graceful Warbler, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Levant Sparrowhawk and Lammergeier. It is based on my personal experience of finding these birds, especially during a visit in April/May 1995 when I managed to locate 207 species in a fortnight. This was far more than on my previous visits in August and September, proving that spring is definitely the best time to come here.