Northern Turkey and Bosporus
‘Vulture rocks’ (Tour 1) and bird migration (Tour 2)

In north-western Anatolia rare vulture and raptor species can be observed very well. The numerous landscapes – steppes, forests, bizarre rock mountains and wetlands – is the reason for the biodiversity. On our round trip, planned with years of birding experience in these locations, we visit natural forest and wetland areas as well as remote villages. The Bosporus is the most important migration route for birds in Europe and the raptor and stork migration is famous all over the world. The headland between the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea is crossed by all Black and White Storks as well as Eastern Europe’s raptors that rely on thermal lift (‘diurnal migrators’).

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Dates

1. Sat., 30. Aug. 2008 - Sun., 14. Sep. 2008
2. Sat., 29. Aug. 2009 - Sun., 13. Sep. 2009

Price includes

• Flights from London, Manchester and Dublin (Destinations of Turkish Airlines)
• Airport Taxes and fuel surcharge
• Airport transfers
• All transport during trip
• Accommodation in en-suite double/single room
• Full board (picnic lunch)
• Birding guide
• Breach of warranty certificate

Number of participants

8 – 18 persons

Travel guide

Frank Zachos

Weather conditions

Early autumn showers possible (15 – 28 °C).

Level of difficulty

Slow walking with many observations from one spot.

Note

- The tour comprises two parts (8 and 9 days) that can be booked separately or combined.
- Admission fees not included in tour price

Alterations

The programme is subject to change.

Vultures of Northern Turkey

Tour 1

Day 1

Flight to Istanbul

Transfer to hotel in Istanbul. An opportunity for an evening visit to down town.

Day 2

Çamlica, Lake Iznik

Observing of bird migration at Çamlica Hill at the Bosporus where the main migrating flock sometimes passes by. First you can see the actively migrating species and then the ones relying on thermal lift. Drive to the silted area of the Gulf of Izmit (waders) and to Lake Iznik. Hotel in Iznik.

Day 3

Bilecik, Rock Mountains, Sakarya Valley

Observation of Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Eurasian Griffon Vulture near Bilecik. Drive in an eastward direction through a bizarre rock valley into the wetland and to the reservoirs of Sakarya River. Hotel in Beypazari where many silversmiths still carry on their trade.

Day 4

Kızılcahamam

To Soğuksu National Park via side roads. Black Stork, Egyptian Vulture and Eurasian Griffon Vulture at the river. Hotel in Kızılcahamam (hot springs).

Day 5

Walking-tour in National Park

A well-maintained road, miles long, leads up to the summit areas of the park. In the lower areas European Black Pine dominate, in the upper areas Bornmueller's Fir. We can see Cinereous Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Rock Bunting and Krüper's Nuthatch. Hotel in Kızılcahamam.

Day 6

Forest steppe, ‘Crane Lake’

Observation in the area covered with fruit trees and single European Black Pine (Eastern Imperial Eagle). Drive to Lake Yenicaga (breeding area of Common Crane, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Pygmy Cormorant). Hotel in Bolu.

Day 7

Small Çamlica Hill, Istanbul

We will be at the observation area at 11 a.m. – the best time to observe the raptor migration. Those who want to can visit the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul today. Hotel in Istanbul.

Day 8

Büyük Çekmece

Observation on the southern shore of Buyukcekmece Lake close to a Roman bridge (Sandwich Tern, Little Gull). Field trip at the shallow silted areas of the northern lakeshore (Red-footed Falcon, migration of small birds). Hotel in Istanbul.

Day 9

AAt your disposal, Return/Arrival

Departure for those who only booked Tour 1. Hotel in Istanbul for remaining time for participants of Tour 1 and 2.

Bird Migration near Istanbul

Tour 2

Day 1

Flight to Istanbul

Arrival for those who booked Tour 2. The raptor migration strongly depends on the weather, so we have to plan the next day’s destination every evening. On one of the following days we can visit Istanbul.

Field trips to:

Prince’s Island (1 day)

Ferry trip to Buyuk Ada island. (Mediterranean Shearwater, dolphins). Enjoy the car-free island on a horse-drawn carriage. Observation of the bird migration in a garden restaurant on the highest summit of the mountain.

Lake Terkoz, Belgrad Forest (1 day)

Field trip to the steppe area at Lake Terkoz at the Black Sea coast (Isabelline Wheatear, Pygmy Cormorant, Sermophili, Eastern Imperial Eagle) and into the large Belgrad Forest (deciduous forest), that many migratory birds use as a resting and sleeping place before crossing the Bosporus.

Hills near Sariyer (2 days)

Beautiful observation area on the European side of the Bosporus where raptors start crossing the Bosporus Strait to the Asian side

Çamlica Hills (2 days)

Biodiversity increases at the end of September. We spend the last two days of our journey on the Çamlıca Hills which is an ideal spot to watch the migration. We can expect a large number of Steppe Buzzard, Black Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Snake-Eagle, Booted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby, Black Kite and European Bee-eater. Rarely you can see Egyptian Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Greater Spotted Eagle.

Departure

Transfer Istanbul airport. Return flight.