Turkey - 31st May, 1 & 2 June 2016 Cappadocia

We travelled via some wonderful fields and took some time out to look at Larks and Wheatears. We found loads of Wheatears, a lot of Short-toed Larks and a few Calandra Larks - but no Lesser Short-toed Larks.

Short-toed Lark juvenile

Calandra Lark

This part of the visit was not bird focussed and we intended to enjoy the cultural sites and visit some underground cities.

We visited Indha Valley to walk the river and look at churches carved into the rocks. Of course, we took binoculars so had very good views of Cetti's Warblers and Nightingale.

 

Nightingale

 Ihndra Valley

We went to Zelve and were most surprised to find an Olive-tree Warbler in some shrubs between the carved dwellings and churches. A real bonus after putting in so much time earlier to no avail.

Olive-tree Warbler

Blue - Identification to be comfirmed

 Alpine Swift

 Egyptian Vulture

 Hot air balloons at Goreme

Before leaving for Sultan Marshes a quick run up a track from the D300 provided views of a nesting pair of Olive-tree Warbler and Rock Bunting.

 Olive-tree Warbler

Rock Bunting

White sp - Species to be confirmed

After a long drive we arrived at Sultan Marshes and drove to the visitor centre. We were quickly intercepted by a guide who told us that we needed a guide to walk on the reserve at 100 lira, or 300 lira to be taken by boat on to the water. We declined and viewed from the tower hide, although we were some distance from the water. There was no sign of Marbled Duck - but some Red-crested Pochard were seen. We then noticed a lot of 'locals' walking off on the broadwalk, and after some time, we too decided to walk out to the lake. In the reeds we saw a Little Bittern and little else. At the end of the walk in the hides the view was disappointing with a Bearded Tit and another Red-crested Pochard.

We then found a track round the back of the lake, finding good opportunities to look across the lake. We began to see Whiskered Terns quite nearby and continued checking the grass filled lake for more ducks. A pumping station proved a mecca for gulls and terns. We also had Black Stork.

 Slender-billed and Black-headed Gulls at Sultan Marshes.

 Whiskered Terns at the pumping station

We continued on to our domestic flight to Istanbul Airport - ready for the flight on to Baku Azerbaijan.