25 May
We took the road to Akseki and followed directions to a place 15km to the north where Middle-spotted Woodpecker used to be seen. In keeping with our recent luck with Woodpeckers we didn't see or even hear any, but did see Serin, Coal Tit, Wood Lark, Crossbill, Redstart and Kruper's Nuthatch.
We took the road to Akseki and followed directions to a place 15km to the north where Middle-spotted Woodpecker used to be seen. In keeping with our recent luck with Woodpeckers we didn't see or even hear any, but did see Serin, Coal Tit, Wood Lark, Crossbill, Redstart and Kruper's Nuthatch.
Kruper'sNuthatch (record shot)
Lesser Fiery Copper
Trying another site 8kms from the town, the wind had really got up and it was very cold. The Woodpeckers remained elusive but we heard Wren and also saw Rock Bunting.
Rock Bunting
We tried another flat area but had no luck with birds but a few other butterfly species.
White Admiral sp. -identification to be confirmed
Fritillary sp. - identification to be confirmed
After our walks we also added Long-legged Buzzard, Collared Flycatcher and Cretchzmar's Bunting while driving near the town of Akseki.
26 May
This was really a travelling day with a couple of hundred kilometres to cover on twisting coastal roads. We broke the trip up by first visiting Alanya Castle.
Mamure Castle was the next target, but it was closed for renovation. However, Recep the gardener gave us a tour of the outer walls, showed us the turtles in the moat, sea turtle beach and gave us tea.
After completing the trip, we ate at the harbour at Tasucu, seeing Audouin's Gulls from the beachside restaurant while Laughing Dove were seen and heard too.
This was really a travelling day with a couple of hundred kilometres to cover on twisting coastal roads. We broke the trip up by first visiting Alanya Castle.
Alanya castle walls
Mamure Castle was the next target, but it was closed for renovation. However, Recep the gardener gave us a tour of the outer walls, showed us the turtles in the moat, sea turtle beach and gave us tea.
Mamure Castle
The moat holds Red-eared Pond Slider, European Pond and Central Turkey Pond turtles and hybrids (some being non-native species).
The moat at Mamure where a Little Bittern was flushed.
An island opposite the castle, apart from nesting Yellow-legged Gulls, held three Great Egrets, plus Shag and Great Cormorant.
After completing the trip, we ate at the harbour at Tasucu, seeing Audouin's Gulls from the beachside restaurant while Laughing Dove were seen and heard too.