Hoopoe
Today I was out for a few hours. This time it was lake Mavi and lake Mogan that were checked. I went out early and suddenly the first ray on the sun felt on a Little Owl. Always a nice bird and this one gave good views.
Little Owl taking off
Pretty much all the action for the passerines happens in the early morning. During the night temperatures can come down to 10 degrees now, so birds are on the move. But it wasn’t the Whinchats and Red-backed Shrikes that were numerous today. But in stead Willow Warblers and Reed Warblers were all over – in their hundreds. So I checked a lot of shrubbery in hope for something rarer, but without succes.
Marsh Harrier
South of lake Mogan I saw an Osprey, 17 Ruddy Shelducks, 4 Tawny Pipits, lots of Yellow Wagtails, a Purple Heron, some Marsh Harriers and Isabelline Wheatears. But the highlight were two Hoopoes, which gave amazing views. Not matter what Hoopoes are just amazing birds. Seen out of context they are exotic and eye-catching, but when they fourage on the sandy ground among small bushes and rocks they blend in just perfectly. But when they take of it is birding fireworks!
Hoopoe
At lake Mavi there were the common acro warblers and a thrush nightingale besides the numerous Spotted Flycatchers – but nothing rare to report either.
Spotted Flycatcher
The latest turkish bird news is that the 7th record of European Storm-petrel were about 40 birds seen off Didim in august. The numbers could indicate that the birds might be regular visitors, but as for many other contries bird watching at sea is one of the least explored parts of birding – and might contain quite a few surprises in the future!
SiO
Birding Turkey 