Northern Turkey and Bosporus

‘Vulture Rocks’ (Tour 1) and Bird Migration (Tour 2)

In north-western Anatolia rare vulture and raptor varieties can easily be observed. 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 Sea of Marmara 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’).

Vultures of Northern Turkey Tour 1

Day 1

Flight to Istanbul

Transfer to hotel in Istanbul. Walk to Bosporus with sightings of Alpine Swift, Palm Dove en route and Yelkouan Mediterranean Shearwater on the water. 1 night hotel accommodation in Istanbul.

Day 2

Çamlica, Lake Iznik

Observation of bird migration at Çamlica Hill on 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. 1 night hotel accomodation in Iznik, the ancient town of Nicaea.

Day 3

Bilecik, Rock Mountains, Sakarya Valley

Observation of Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Eurasian Griffon Vulture near Bilecik. Drive further eastwards through a bizarre rock valley into the wetlands and to the reservoirs of the Sakarya River. Hotel in Beypazari where many silversmiths still continue their ancient trade.

Day 4

Kızılcahamam

To Soğuksu National Park via side roads. Black Stork, Egyptian Vulture and Eurasian Griffon Vulture at the river. 2 nights hotel accomodation 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). 1 night hotel accommodation in Bolu.

Day 7

Small Çamlica Hill, Istanbul

Autumn tour: From a small hill on the Asian side we have a magnificent view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus and can observe the numerous Honey Buzzard and Lesser Spotted Eagle, in addition, Black Storks arrive in large numbers flying high in good weather. Other species, like Levant Sparrowhawk, fly lower. Constant small bird migration route e.g. Bee-Eater, whose sonorous calls one often hears first, before discovering the colourful birds. Spring tour: From the European side of the Bosphorus near Sarıyer with a beautiful view of the strait we can observe the constant passing busy courses of Yelkouan Shearwater. 2 nights hotel accomodation in Istanbul.

Day 8

Büyük Çekmece

Observation on the southern shore of Büyük Çekmece 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 accomodation in Istanbul.

Day 9

Day at free disposal, Return/Arrival

Departure for those who booked Tour 1 only. Day at free disposal for participants of the 16 day tours (1 and 2). 7 nights hotel accommodation in Istanbul (until end of tour).

Bird Migration on the Bosporus Tour 2

Day 1

Arrival / Flight to Istanbul, transfer to hotel for participants who booked Tour 2 only.

Days 2 – 7 (10 – 15)

Marmara Sea, Black Sea coast, Bosporus. As the migration of raptors is very dependent on the weather we shall plan our field trips the evening before.

Field trip destinations :

Prince’s Island (1 day)

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

Lake Terkoz, Belgrad Forest (1 day)

Field trip to the steppe area at Lake Terkoz at the coast of the Black Sea (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.

Day 8 (16)

Departure

Transfer Istanbul airport. Return flight.