Köyceğiz & Mugla area - SW Turkey (11 Viewers)

[angusmcoatup]

Had an interesting conversation last night with a friend whose family have long been familiar with the wildlife of the area (without hunting it I should add). He described what sounds very much like Jungle Cat. He said the local name translates roughly as Cane Cat as it’s seen close to the lake and was clear it’s not Lynx, Caracal, Wild Cat or feral cat.

Seen very rarely though he named a place he’s watched it from his boat which is unapproachable from land.

 

[Bananafishbones]

18.04.24

Montagu’s Harrier- Fethiye old road fields, Bee-eaters - several flocks in the area
Bittern - marshy area below the road bridge later watched by a couple of visiting birders flying down the channel into the reedbeds.
Little Bittern- presumed usual breeders
5 Whinchats - dump,
2 White throated kingfishers - dump
Easter Olivaceous , Sedge and Sardinian Warbler - dump reedbeds
Woodchat Shrike

19/04/24
3 Black winged Stilts - channel,
7 Black tailed Godwits - Hamitkoy
4 Wood Sandpipers,
1 Wryneck - River side wood near bee hives
Pallid Swifts nicely on view in the town centre with Common

20/04/24
1 Cuckoo sheltering from storm in an orange tree.

Previous records this spring that I didn’t get round to putting on here - Stone Curlew - 1 on the dump , Garganey flock (30 or so) , Night heron flock of 40 , Glossy Ibis flock roughly 100 over Hamitkoy which seems to have divided around the lake general area as they’re in Eskikoy, Dalyan area, Hamitkoy and Köyceğiz.

Paul I am picking Jeff up at the airport tomorrow Pm Sunday. I may pop over to the beach end for a quick mooch around. Will decide later and confirm.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Paul I am picking Jeff up at the airport tomorrow Pm Sunday. I may pop over to the beach end for a quick mooch around. Will decide later and confirm.

Give me a shout if that’s the case and I’ll meet you. There’s still lots moving through. Savi’s might be possible if in usual spot and small numbers of waders seen daily. There’s another birder here on holiday visiting the tip regularly.

 

[angusmcoatup]

20/04/24

Took a quick trip out between rain squalls and found a crisp male Collared Flycatcher in the mulberry trees and another Great Spotted Cuckoo in the next door grove. Also a surprise Isabelline Wheatear on a small football pitch a few streets away.

 

[VinnyBlood]

Will be in the area Saturday 27th April onwards for a week. This thread has been brilliant in that I can go directly to a few choice spots without wasting time. Not a holiday planned specifically for nature/birding, but as my wife is a late sleeper I'll definitely be out early-doors with the camera and bins most days! As luck would have it, I'm staying about equidistant between Hamitkoy and 'the dump'.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Good to hear. Hopefully be able to catch up with you. I’m curious where you’re staying? There’s not a lot between Hamitkoy and the dump though it’s a plum spot for birding. Had a few birders here recently and I’ve about a week of sightings to catch up on Birdforum.
Currently a minimum of 5 Golden Orioles singing away in our garden plus there’s always plenty around the marshes, lake, fields and woodland.

 

[VinnyBlood]

Good to hear. Hopefully be able to catch up with you. I’m curious where you’re staying? There’s not a lot between Hamitkoy and the dump though it’s a plum spot for birding. Had a few birders here recently and I’ve about a week of sightings to catch up on Birdforum.
Currently a minimum of 5 Golden Orioles singing away in our garden plus there’s always plenty around the marshes, lake, fields and woodland.

Hi Paul - Yalçın Villaları - and yes it would be great if mutually convenient to say hello in person

 

[angusmcoatup]

Hi Paul - Yalçın Villaları - and yes it would be great if mutually convenient to say hello in person

I’ve just found it- nicely secluded.

 

[angusmcoatup]

02/05/24

An afternoon with visiting birder Vinny started with a Spur Winged Plover beating its way across the lake against a strong wind. Then a Woodchat Shrike and 2 Rufous Bush Chats on the tip. Purple Heron made an appearance too.
Then down to the Namnam , where a Black Stork was pretty much first bird visible, 2 Ruff flew around before settling out of sight, a pair of Marsh Sandpipers finally found a secluded bay to wade in, also Wood Sandpiper and 4 Little Ringed Plovers which included a displaying pair.
Turtle Doves occasionally flew into a fruit bush across the river and a pair of Ravens mobbed a Sparrowhawk. A nice low flying Bee-eater flock added colour and a quick overflying Masked Shrike made it a worthwhile visit. Also Whinchat and the usual warblers.

Then up to the Toparlar woods where a couple of meadows have been good recently. Today was no exception with a superb male Red footed Falcon holding its own against the wind . A photogenic male Spanish Sparrow was one of three and this area is handy for catching up with them.

A beer by the lake was topped off with 7 Whiskered Terns just off shore and a lake crossing Marsh Harrier.

Bound to have forgotten something/ several edits to follow.

 

[angusmcoatup]

03/05/24

A late afternoon ride along the Hamitköy road brought plenty of the usual marvels such as Woodchat and Masked Shrike, a stunning male Marsh Harrier hunting a few feet above me and a Pygmy Cormorant surfacing close by on one of the ditches. Highlight though was a Curlew Sandpiper on the marshy roadside pond halfway to the village.

 

[VinnyBlood]

03/05/24

A late afternoon ride along the Hamitköy road brought plenty of the usual marvels such as Woodchat and Masked Shrike, a stunning male Marsh Harrier hunting a few feet above me and a Pygmy Cormorant surfacing close by on one of the ditches. Highlight though was a Curlew Sandpiper on the marshy roadside pond halfway to the village.

Thanks so much for your help this week. Quite a few lifers to tally up (not all avian). Got the Masked Shrike at the dump this morning, plus Woodchat Shrike and male Red-backed Shrike at Namnam.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Thanks so much for your help this week. Quite a few lifers to tally up (not all avian). Got the Masked Shrike at the dump this morning, plus Woodchat Shrike and male Red-backed Shrike at Namnam.

Good to hear Vinny. With a couple of long days and some luck it’s possible to rack up a very respectable list in this area. Plus the numbers involved and views are often superb. Had a stunning Scops Owl calling quite low down in an orange tree next door near sunset yesterday. Added to a Little Owl which regularly appears on a nearby chimney stack and a circling Tawny Owl just visible in the gloom it was quite an entertaining hour.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Yesterday evening whilst sipping on a sundowner on the balcony I was surprised to see a 40 + strong flock of Glossy Ibis towards the lake direction. I thought these had all passed through by now and guess they came down in the usual hidden area of Hamitköy marsh. Also had 3 Night Herons over the forest and a Purple Heron above.
Recent garden/grove birds have included long staying Golden Orioles (at least 7) which have quietened down but still singing for short periods, singing Wood Warbler (2 days), Garden Warbler (still here), a Masked Shrike pair, Lesser Grey Shrike on the wire in fields opposite, Montagu’s Harrier again, a Goshawk female causing havoc amongst the local chicken flocks , regular Bee-eater overflies and at least one evening around 40 roosting in a Mulberry tree.
Nightingales can be heard distantly in both woodland and on an area of abandoned farmland, a cracking Ruppells Warbler a couple of roads away, a singing Rufous Bush Chat behind a neighbours house and the odd Corn Bunting in the same field.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Despite my late start to spring for unavoidable reasons it’s been a cracker though no rarities involved. Good, sometimes spectacular , numbers of some target species and stunning views. Plus an influx of birders, and more to come it seems

The area of the Namnam I re-explored with Dave B. has been superb (cheers Dave) , Black Stork , Marsh Warbler, Short toed Eagle, 3 Shrike Sp, Rufous Bush Robin, Marsh Sandpipers, Spur Winged Plover, White throated Kingfisher, Red Footed Falcon, Ortolan Bunting, Night Heron, (plus dead Nightjar) all providing nice views on recent visits.

Lots passing through or hanging around the garden/ grove/ fields surrounding the flat. Including all 4 Shrikes, another Collared Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, another Wood Warbler , Orphean , Sardinian , Willow , Cettis Warbler and a Common Nightingale. Montagu’s Harrier, Peregrine , Long legged Buzzard, Goshawk and Hobby have all hunted the fields , used the pylons or used the thermals along the Toparlar edge.

 

[angusmcoatup]

12/05/24

An hour and a half of casual birding/biking with Tora Benzeyen. A new area has opened up where access was previously blocked- a promising looking pool at the end of a quiet channel-side path. Squacco Heron on the pool and lots of Warblers in the scrub.

1 Golden Plover - beach, 1 Little Bittern - ditch path, 3 Cattle Egrets - Cow Marsh, 2 Rufous Bush Robin - Palmiye and Hamitkoy road, 4 Whiskered Tern - lake ,
2 Red backed Shrike - dump and marsh, 2 Masked Shrike - boatyard, several singing Great Reed Warbler along the woodland / lake path , Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the cane bed tapping away. Sombre Tit on adjoining land to our garden.

One odd experience as we cycled back, an obvious Alpine Swift ,called by us both, as it flew across the road and circled the marsh several times. Except it was dark all over, no white visible. The morning light may have made it appear darker but definitely no white belly. Too brief to do much with but an odd encounter, especially as it was alone and most Alpine Swifts here visit in chittering flocks.

 

[angusmcoatup]

Rufous Bush Robin

 

[MJB]

12/05/24

An hour and a half of casual birding/biking with Tora Benzeyen. A new area has opened up where access was previously blocked- a promising looking pool at the end of a quiet channel-side path. Squacco Heron on the pool and lots of Warblers in the scrub.

1 Golden Plover - beach, 1 Little Bittern - ditch path, 3 Cattle Egrets - Cow Marsh, 2 Rufous Bush Robin - Palmiye and Hamitkoy road, 4 Whiskered Tern - lake ,
2 Red backed Shrike - dump and marsh, 2 Masked Shrike - boatyard, several singing Great Reed Warbler along the woodland / lake path , Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the cane bed tapping away. Sombre Tit on adjoining land to our garden.

One odd experience as we cycled back, an obvious Alpine Swift ,called by us both, as it flew across the road and circled the marsh several times. Except it was dark all over, no white visible. The morning light may have made it appear darker but definitely no white belly. Too brief to do much with but an odd encounter, especially as it was alone and most Alpine Swifts here visit in chittering flocks.

A vagrant Pacific Swift Apus pacificus? (post-split) - it has occurred as far as UK, and so one reaching SW Turkey is well within possibility...
MJB

 

[angusmcoatup]

A vagrant Pacific Swift Apus pacificus? (post-split) - it has occurred as far as UK, and so one reaching SW Turkey is well within possibility...
MJB

Possible though no white rump visible. We didn’t get our bins on the bird as we were cycling and stopped mid road, when it flew almost behind us. We were both clear on it being large and the bright sunlight and flight angle may have obscured a rump. I’ll return tomorrow , you never know.
We had to get moving as there was a cycle road race on today and the army were posted around the area keeping the roads clear.

 

[angusmcoatup]

18/05/24 Highlights
2 Eleonora’s Falcons (Dark & light). Using a stand of Eucalyptus off the Hamitkoy Road and the area around there. Also 19th and 23rd.
Same place- Moustached Warbler, Little Bittern , 3 Cattle Egrets,
1 Marsh Warbler , with 2 Penduline Tits - on the Sedge area opposite melon field.
5 Common Crossbill - Hamitkoy bridge
1 Black Stork - Namnam
Long legged Buzzard carrying a snake, 2 Short Toed Eagles over tree line as usual.
Spur Winged Plover from dog sanctuary stone pile.
19/05/24
Semi-collared Flycatcher - female. Had to go off second wing bar so possibly Collared- garden in Mulberry.

20/05/24
Nightjar - Doğusbelen behind Tutku’s shortly before sundown

24/05/24
Male Goshawk - Fethiye old road woodland . Perched in tree. Golden Oriole visible in Eucalyptus opposite Davut
25/05/24
Ringed Plover - beach, Lesser Grey Shrike - dump , Glossy Ibis - 2 behind the dump/wood , Common Tern- 2 on the lake
Honey Buzzard pair at Zaferler

Garden has been entertaining. Male and female Peregrines, Long legged Buzzard, another arrival of Golden Orioles today (5 apparently) though a pair is presumably nesting as silent except for the odd morning brief warble. Hoopoe calling, Roller on fields, Zitting Cisticola in the grove, Red backed Shrike at the “crossroads”, 4 Woodpecker species including Lesser Spotted pair 4 or 5 metres away from balcony repeatedly . Willow Warbler today.

Ottoman Viper in the grove- alerted by Magpies. I’m guessing it’s moved from a large overgrown field next door that burnt last week. Nearest I’ve seen one to town.

 

[angusmcoatup]

27/05/24

Due to meet a group of German birders in the evening I managed an hour and half’s birding beforehand from tip to Hamitkoy and back. Nothing extraordinary but a good selection of birds in a short time.

2 Eleonora’s Falcons - same area around 3rd bridge. Also reported at Toparlar falls by visiting group.
Little Bittern, 6 Squacco Herons, 2 Purple Herons, Marsh Harrier, White throated Kingfisher, Rufous Bush Robin, Whinchat, Sand Martin, usual Warblers, Zitting Cisticola , White Stork, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Penduline Tit , Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, 2 Whiskered Terns (lake buoys- always worth checking), Corn Bunting, Pygmy Cormorant, Buzzard sp, Masked & Red backed Shrikes, Bee-eater flock.

Visiting German birding family also had Nightjar on Ağla road, 3 WT Kingfishers (3rd bridge) , Great Spotted Cuckoo and Black Stork (Namnam).

5 Golden Oriole appeared in the garden on Sunday , singing and zooming in and out of the Mulberries, singing Hoopoe daily, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers very active and easily watched, Red Rumped Swallows about to fledge it seems, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler has taken to visiting balcony plants, Garden Warblers still around.

Wild Boar now appearing just after dusk, 3 different Spur thighed Tortoises regular in the garden, Whip Snake on Ağla Road