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Birding in Central Southern Turkey, May 21st - 29th 1996,

Introduction

The participants on this one week trip were Neil Osborne (Northumbs), Jim Pattinson (Newcastle) and Stephen Mawby (Northants).  The cheapest option for this trip was to book a one week package tour  (Suntours) to the coastal resort of Side and then fail to use the offered accommodation except for the final night and for the remainder of the time, travel around the country arranging accommodation as and where appropriate.  This option was cheaper than a flight only option (believe it or not).  In the one week, we were able to visit the main birding sites in central-southern Turkey, from Akseki in the west to Birecik in the east.  Flights from Newcastle upon Tyne to Antalya were with a Swedish tour operator.

Transport

A hire car was pre-booked in the UK with collection at our destination airport and with drop-off there on our return.  No problems were encountered with this arrangement.  The roads throughout were well maintained but were at times rather busy with goods traffic - particularly along the route heading east to Birecik.  A motorway was under construction but appeared well short of completion with many difficult areas to negotiate.  We occasionally took the vehicle off of tarmac roads to get closer to certain birding sites but exercising care again caused no problems.  We did suffer an electrical problem with the hire car towards the end of the trip when the ignition light stayed on, indicating that the battery was not charging.  On the Sunday evening, we managed to locate an auto-electrician who stripped down the alternator and replaced the bushes in a couple of hours at a total cost of £30, a sum which we were able to recover from the hire company when we returned the car to the airport.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation was arranged as we went along with very few problems.  Although we spoke no Turkish and I only spoke a little "schoolboy German" (German is widely spoken and understood in Turkey), we managed to get suitable room(s) in even the most out of the way places.  The hotels were very basic (cockroaches often came as standard additions) but having taken sleeping bags with us we didn't need to be too discerning.  Food or at least a reasonable choice of food was occasionally a problem especially at Demirkazik where it was a case of "like it or do without it"  Our final night was spent at our "booked" accommodation at Side.  We had specifically instructed the tour representative on arrival in Turkey that we would only need our allotted accommodation on our last night but even so, on arrival back at Side, the accommodation had obviously been re-let and it took a deal of negotiation to get rooms for us for that last night.  With hindsight, a copy of the Turkey Lonely Planet guide would probably have been of considerable assistance.

Currency

To avoid spending time looking for banks etc to change traveller's cheques or sterling, we changed all our money into Turkish Lire on arrival, ensuring that between us we would have sufficient for the trip.

Field Guide

Birds of Europe.  Jonsson.  Helm.  ISBN 0-7136-8096-2

Reports

Finding Birds in Turkey - Ankara to Birecik.  Gosney Guide.  Privately published

Where to Watch Birds in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus.  Welch et al.  Hamlyn.         ISBN 0-600-58232-9

Trip report - Turkey 1989.  Hough and Smethurst.  Privately published.  (invaluable)

Turkey Itinerary

21/5/96
Overnight flight Newcastle upon Tyne to Antalya.

22/5/96
Drive to Eregli via Akseki and Konya.
Birding: hillsides south of Akseki, forest area 7.9km north of Akseki village, Akseki cemetery and roadside stops where appropriate.

23/5/96
Drive from Eregli to Demirkazik.
Birding: Eregli marshes (south side); mountain track behind ski lodge at Demirkazik

24/5/96
Drive from Demirkazik to Birecik via Adana, Gaziantep and Durnalik.
Birding: mountain area at Demirkazik; Durnalik valley.

25/5/96
Birding: the Birecik and Halfeti area.

26/5/96
Drive from Birecik to Silifke via Durnalik.
Birding:  the Durnalik valley; Goksu delta (west side).

27/5/96
Drive from Silifke to Side via Gulnar and Alanya.
Birding:  Goksu delta area; roadside marsh south-east of Alanya.

28/5/96
Drive from Side to Antalya airport via Akseki and Tasagil.
Birding: forest area 19km north of Akseki (on main road); hillside north of Akseki village (old road); valley area north of Tasagil.
Evening flight Antalya to Newcastle upon Tyne.

Systematic List of Species Seen

Taxonomy, sequence and nomenclature follow A World Bird Species Checklist.  M.G.Wells. (1998)

New species are indicated by *

LITTLE GREBE - Tachybaptus ruficollis
At least three individuals seen on the 27th around the Goksu delta area.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE - Podiceps cristatus
Small numbers on the 22nd and 23rd en route to and around Eregli, with larger numbers on the 27th around the Goksu delta.

PYGMY CORMORANT - Phalacrocorax pygmeus
A single individual, probably of this species took flight as we passed over a bridge over a drainage canal along the track to Adabag (Eregli marshes) on the 23rd.

WHITE PELICAN - Pelecanus onocrotalus
A party of eight on one of the lakes of the Eregli marshes on the 23rd were the only ones found.

LITTLE BITTERN - Ixobrychus minitus
A single in flight at the Goksu delta on the 26th with at least three at the roadside marsh south-east of Alanya on the 27th.  All were only seen in flight, but the ones on the 27th gave sustained flight views and included at least two males.

NIGHT HERON - Nycticorax nycticorax
Four, all in flight, on the evening of the 26th at the Goksu delta.

SQUACCO HERON - Ardeola ralloides
One on the 23rd in flight over the Eregli marshes; one in flight at the Goksu delta on the evening of the 26th; at least five on the 27th at the Goksu with three together in a single tree, and two at the roadside marsh south-east of Alanya later that day.

LITTLE EGRET - Egretta garzetta
Four on the 23rd around the Eregli marshes with one on the 26th at the Goksu.  On the 27th, no specific count was made around the Goksu.  At least two frequented the roadside marsh south-east of Alanya on the afternoon of the 27th.

GREAT WHITE EGRET - Egretta alba
Two on the 23rd at Eregli were the only ones seen.

GREY HERON - Ardea cinerea
One at Eregli on the 23rd with no specific count at the Goksu on the 27th.

PURPLE HERON - Ardea purpurea
One at the Goksu on the 26th was a photo opportunity for one member of the party.  Two further individuals were seen on the 27th.

WHITE STORK - Ciconia ciconia
Good numbers in the area around Eregli on both the 22nd and 23rd with singles around the Goksu on the 26th and 27th.

GLOSSY IBIS - Plegadis falcinellus
A minimum of fifteen around the Eregli marshes on the 23rd with a singleton at the roadside marsh south-east of Alanya on the 27th.

BALD IBIS - Geronticus eremita
At least fifteen captive bred birds at the WWF sanctuary at Birecik.  (Species not included in trip total).

SPOONBILL - Platalea leucorodia
At least ten birds around Eregli on the 23rd with just two on the Goksu on the 27th.

GREATER  FLAMINGO - Phoenicopterus ruber
Only seen at Eregli, with a minimum of two hundred seen mostly distant or in flight.

GREYLAG GOOSE - Anser anser
Four at Eregli on the 23rd were assumed to be wild birds.

RUDDY SHELDUCK - Tadorna ferruginea
At least ten on the two dates of the 23rd and the 27th, the former at Eregli, the latter at the Goksu.

SHELDUCK - Tadorna  tadorna
Seen on the 23rd at Eregli, no specific count.

GADWALL - Anas strepera
Seen on the 23rd at Eregli, no specific count.

MARBLED DUCK - Marmaronetta angustirostris
At least twelve of this rare and endangered species at the Goksu on the 27th, mostly in flight, but with one individual giving good views on the same pool as the Purple Gallinules.

RED-CRESTED POCHARD - Netta rufina
Seen at Eregli on the 23rd, no specific count made.

POCHARD - Aythya ferina
Seen at Eregli on the 23rd, no specific count made.

WHITE-HEADED DUCK - Oxyura leucocephala
Only five of this endangered species were seen, all at Eregli on the 23rd.

BLACK KITE - Milvus migrans
One in the mountains north of Pozanti on the 23rd was the only one seen and was thermalling with a Booted Eagle.

LAMMERGEIER - Gypaetus barbatus
Three in the mountains at Demirkazik on the 24th included two flying along the cliff face together at one point.

EGYPTIAN VULTURE - Neophron percnopterus
One on a shingle bank in the river near Pozanti on the 24th and one in the limestone mountains of Akcali Daglari between Gulnar and Aydincik on the 27th were the only ones seen.

SHORT-TOED EAGLE - Circaetus gallicus
Three on the 22nd around Akseki and one over the coast road between Silifke and Alanya on the 27th was a disappointing showing.

MARSH HARRIER - Circus aeruginosus
A minimum of twenty around Eregli on the 23rd, with smaller numbers around the Goksu on the 26th and 27th.

MONTAGU'S HARRIER - Circus pygargus
A ringtail on the 22nd was the only one seen.

BUZZARD - Buteo buteo
A single on the 24th seen only briefly from the car may have been of the subspecies B.b.vulpinus (Steppe Buzzard).

LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD - Buteo rufinus
A minimum of three on the 22nd with a minimum of four on the 23rd, all in the area between Beysehir and Eregli.

BOOTED EAGLE - Hieraaetus pennatus
One circling in a thermal together with a Black Kite on the 23rd was the only one of the trip.

BONELLI'S EAGLE - Hieraaetus fasciatus
Three together in the rocky gorge north of the Halfeti on the 25th seen briefly in flight and then distantly perched, may have included a juvenile.

LESSER KESTREL - Falco naumanni
One briefly on the 22nd was surpassed by a group of at least twenty in the school yard in the village of Adabag close to the Eregli marshes.

KESTREL - Falco tinnunculus
Seen in small numbers on all dates except the 27th.

HOBBY - Falco subbuteo
Singles seen on four dates with one perched on high-voltage cables near to Birecik on the 25th being particularly good.

ELEONORA'S FALCON - Falco eleonorae
A single, watched all too briefly over the main lake at Goksu, on the 27th was disappointing.

PEREGRINE - Falco peregrinus
One on the 27th on the beach at the Goksu was unexpected.

CASPIAN SNOWCOCK - Tetraogallus caspius *
One of the highlights of the trip was prolonged but somewhat distant views of a male calling from one of the many summits on the morning of the 24th.  Others were heard but not located - did we look hard enough?

SEE-SEE PARTRIDGE - Ammoperdix heyi *
Brief flight views of one bird as it flew off from under a large rock, and off down the main wadi at Birecik on the 25th.

BLACK FRANCOLIN - Francolinus francolinus
Many calling males around the Goksu area early morning, with at least two birds being seen well.

QUAIL - Coturnix coturnix
One heard at Eregli on the 23rd.

MOORHEN - Gallinula chloropus
Only one seen, at the roadside marsh south-east of Alanya on the 27th.

PURPLE GALLINULE - Porphyrio porphyrio *
At least three individuals frequenting a reed-fringed pool at the Goksu on the 27th, gave sustained good views early morning only.

COOT - Fulica atra
Seen at Eregli on the 23rd and Goksu on the 27th.  Good numbers, no specific count.

BLACK-WINGED STILT - Himantopus himantopus
Two at Eregli on the 23rd with much larger numbers at Goksu on the 26th and 27th.  Possibly the commonest wader at this latter site.

AVOCET - Recurvirostra avosetta
A single on the 22nd at Eregli with a further two there on the 23rd.

STONE CURLEW - Burhinus oedicnemus
Two in the sandy scrub between the beach and the lake at the Goksu delta on the 27th.

COLLARED PRATINCOLE - Glareola pratincola
A party of at least six birds in the air together near to the village of Kurtulus in the Goksu delta.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER - Charadrius dubius
A singleton at Eregli on the 23rd was the only one seen.

KENTISH PLOVER - Charadrius alexandrinus
At least fifteen, mostly along the beach to the east of Paradeniz Golu, Goksu delta, on the 27th.

GOLDEN PLOVER - Pluvialis apricaria
A lone bird on a rapidly shrinking lake at Eregli on the 23rd caused some identification problems until we were able to get close enough to ascertain it's true identity.

SPUR-WINGED PLOVER - Hoplopterus spinosus
A single at Eregli on the 23rd, with two at The Goksu on the 26th.  On the 27th, much greater numbers at the Goksu and no specific count was made.

LAPWING - Vanellus vanellus
A singleton at Eregli on the 23rd.

LITTLE STINT - Calidris minuta
A minimum of ten at Eregli on the 23rd with five at the Goksu on the 27th.

RUFF - Philomachus pugnax
Two at Goksu on the 27th.

REDSHANK - Tringa totanus
A single on the River Euphrates at Birecik on the 25th.

WOOD SANDPIPER - Tringa glareola
A single at the Goksu on the 27th.

TURNSTONE - Arenaria interpres
A single on the beach near the Goksu rivermouth.

POMARINE SKUA - Stercorarius pomarinus
A single distant bird, at sea off the Goksu river mouth on the 27th was probably this species.

BLACK-HEADED GULL - Larus ridibundus
Small numbers around the Eregli marshes on the 23rd.

AUDOUIN'S GULL - Larus audouinii
A total of seventeen were counted, all but one of which were on a sand-spit at the mouth of the Goksu River on the 27th.  The lone individual was on the beach between the sea and Paradeniz Golu.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL - Larus (argentatus) cachinnans
Seen on the 22nd, 26th and 27th and 28th in coastal localities.

COMMON TERN - Sterna hirundo
Three at Eregli on the 23rd with larger numbers around the Goksu on the 27th.

LITTLE TERN - Sterna albifrons
Two at Eregli on the 23rd with further individuals at Goksu on the 27th.

WHISKERED TERN - Chlidonias hybridus
A singleton at Eregli on the 23rd with further birds around the Goksu on the 27th.

BLACK TERN -Chlidonias niger
Only seen at the Goksu on the 27th, with no specific count being taken.

WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN - Chlidonias leucopterus
A single at Eregli on the 23rd with further individuals at Goksu on the 27th.

BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE - Pterocles orientalis
A flyover of two calling birds at Eregli on the 23rd with a further three at Birecik on the 25th.

ROCK DOVE - Columbia livia
Widespread and common.  Seen on all dates except the 27th.

COLLARED DOVE - Streptopelia decaocto
Seen on the 24th to the 27th inclusive in a variety of habitats.

TURTLE DOVE - Streptopelia turtur
Seen most dates in small numbers.

GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO - Clamator glandarius
A single on the 23rd sat on roadside wires at Eregli.

STRIATED SCOPS OWL - Otus brucei
At least one bird seen in the trees of the tea garden at Birecik both in the afternoon and the evening of the 25th.

SCOPS OWL - Otus scops
Possibly one of this species in the tea garden at Birecik on the 25th.

LITTLE OWL - Athene noctua
Three on the 23rd around the village of Tatlikiyu in the Eregli marshes, with further singles on the 24th and 27th.

SWIFT - Apus apus
Seen on all dates.  Common

ALPINE SWIFT - Apus melba
A minimum of six on the 23rd around Demirkazik with up to twenty in company with Swifts (Apus apus) over the Goksu area on the 27th.

LITTLE SWIFT - Apus affinis
Up to six birds around the riverside cliffs of the R.Euphrates north of Birecik on the 25th.

BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER - Merops superciliosus
A minimum of five birds at the Birecik site.

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER - Merops apiaster
A single on the 23rd around the Eregli area with at least six around Birecik on the 25th.

ROLLER - Coracias garrulus
Appeared to be widespread, being seen on four dates with the largest number being two pairs displaying over a wood just to the south of Akseki on the 22nd.

HOOPOE - Upupa epops
Widespread and seen in small numbers most dates.

SYRIAN WOODPECKER - Dendrocopos syriacus
Singles seen on the 24th, 25th and 26th around the pistachio orchards towards the east of the country.

WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER - Dendrocopos leucotos
A single at the site in the pine woods, some 19km north of Akseki on the 28th was the final highlight of the trip for one member at least.

CALANDRA LARK - Melanocorypha calandra
A single at Eregli on the 23rd with at least four in fields between Birecik and Helfeti on the 25th, with a further two on the 26th around Durnalik.

BIMACULATED LARK - Melanocorypha bimaculata *
Disappointing views of four near to the "craters" close to Karapinar on the 22nd was more than offset by the views had of at least three birds at Durnalik on the 26th.

SHORT-TOED LARK - Calandrella brachydactyla
Seen on four dates in small numbers.

ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK - Calandrella cheleensis *
Seen only on the 23rd at Eregli in small numbers.  No count made.

CRESTED LARK - Galerida cristata
Widespread and common and seen on all dates.

WOODLARK - Lullula arborea
A single possibly heard in the wood north of Akseki on the 22nd, with further birds at the other woodland site on the 28th.

SKYLARK - Alauda arvensis
A single on the 24th was the only one either seen or heard.

SHORE LARK - Eremophila alpestris
A minimum of ten on Demirkazik mountain on the 23rd with further singles on the 24th.

SAND MARTIN - Riparia riparia
Seen on four dates, no count taken.

CRAG MARTIN - Pytonoprogne rupestris
Seen around Demirkazik on the 23rd and 24th in small numbers.

SWALLOW - Hirundo rustica
Widespread and common.  Seen on all dates.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW - Hirundo daurica
Singles seen on five dates.  No-where common, but two together visiting a nest site under a small bridge in the Goksu on the 27th gave particularly good, close views.

HOUSE MARTIN - Delichon urbica
Seen on four dates in small numbers with the largest concentration being in company with the Little Swifts (Apus affinis) at Birecik on the 25th.

WATER PIPIT - Anthus spinoletta
A single on Demirkazik mountain on the 24th was the only one seen.

BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL - Motacilla (flava) feldegg
Six around Eregli on the 23rd with two at the Goksu on the 26th.

WHITE WAGTAIL - Motacilla alba
Seen on four dates.  No count made.

YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL - Pycnonotus xanthopygos
Only noted on the 23rd along the coastal area between Antalya and Manavgat.

RADDE'S ACCENTOR - Prunella ocularis
A single in the gully at the top of the Demirkazik gorge gave exceptionally good, close views as it fed on the ground.

RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN - Cercotrichas galactotes *
A single briefly on the 24th at Durnalik, two on the 25th around Birecik and Halfeti, a minimum of three around Durnalik on the 26th and at least two around the Goksu on the 27th.  Much paler and larger than I had expected, many of those seen were in song and showing well.

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN - Irania gutturalis *
A stunning species with three at Durnalik on the 24th, one at Halfeti on the 25th and a minimum of four, again at Durnalik on the 26th.  All were males and a great deal of patience was often required to see one well.  A relatively skulking species.

BLACK REDSTART - Phoenicurus ochruros
Only noted on the 23rd and 24th around Demirkazik.

REDSTART - Phoenicurus phoenicurus
At least two birds around the woodland site 19km north of Akseki on the 28th.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR - Oenanthe isabellina
Seen on four dates in small numbers around the central dry plain area of the country.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR - Oenanthe oenanthe
Noted on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th in the higher wooded as well as rocky mountainous areas.

BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR - Oenanthe hispanica
Seen on six of the seven dates with a maximum of ten on the 27th.

FINSCH'S WHEATEAR - Oenanthe finschii
Three to the north of Akseki on the 22nd with one on the 24th at Demirkazik.

RED-TAILED WHEATEAR - Oenanthe xanthoprymna *
One of the highlights was a pair of this species visiting a nesting site high in the valley above Durnalik on the 26th.

ROCK THRUSH - Monticola saxatilis
Singles on the 23rd and 24th, both at Demirkazik.

BLUE ROCK THRUSH - Monticola solitarius
A single north of Akseki on the 22nd with two at Halfeti on the 25th and a single at Durnalik on the 26th.

BLACKBIRD - Turdus merula
Noted on the 22nd around Akseki and on the 27th en route from Silifke to Side.

SONG THRUSH - Turdus philomelos
Only seen on the 22nd at Akseki.

MISTLE THRUSH - Turdus viscivorus
Two in the woods north of Akseki on the 28th were the only ones noted.

CETTI'S WARBLER - Cettia cetti
Heard only, on the 22nd and 25th.

GRACEFUL WARBLER - Prinia gracilis
Around the Goksu area, two on the 26th and at least four on the 27th.

REED WARBLER - Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Noted on the 23rd at Eregli and on the 26th and 27th around the Goksu.

GREAT REED WARBLER - Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Noted on four dates in wetland habitats.

OLIVACEOUS WARBLER - Hippolais pallida
One heard on the 22nd in Akseki cemetery with at least three birds on the 25th and 26th, firstly at Birecik and latterly at Durnalik.

UPCHER'S WARBLER - Hippolais languida *
Two in the valley leading to Durnalik on the 24th, one along the banks of the R.Euphrates at Birecik on the 25th and a minimum of five in the valley above Durnalik on the 26th.  Although not a striking bird, its rarity in the Western Palaearctic made it one of the highlights.

OLIVE-TREE WARBLER - Hippolais olivetorum *
Four in the cemetery at Akseki on the 22nd showed reasonably well with a degree of patience.  A large and heavy warbler that advertised it's presence with a distinctive song.

MENETRIE'S WARBLER - Sylvia mystacea *
Another of the trip highlights was the four plus birds of this species seen at the species western-most outpost of Birecik.  When seen well, the differences between it and Sardinian Warbler (S.melanocephala) are quite apparent.

RUPPELL'S WARBLER - Sylvia rueppelli
Seen on the rocky, scrub-covered hillsides around Akseki on both the 22nd and 28th, with at least three on the first date and at least two on the last.

ORPHEAN WARBLER - Sylvia hortensis
Only noted on the 22nd, with at least three in and around Akseki on that date and again in the same area on the 28th.

LESSER WHITETHROAT - Sylvia curruca
Individuals of this species were seen on the 23rd, 24th and 26th, with up to six around Demirkazik on the first date, at least three in the same area on the next and at least two at Durnalik on the last.

WHITETHROAT - Sylvia communis
A single on the 23rd at Eregli.

GARDEN WARBLER - Sylvia borin
A single at Durnalik on the 26th.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - Muscicapa striata
Two around the woods north of Akseki on the 28th.

BEARDED TIT - Panurus biarmicus
A single seen briefly in the Goksu on the 27th.

SOMBRE TIT - Parus lugubris
A single at Akseki on the 22nd with two in Halfeti cemetery on the 25th.

COAL TIT - Parus ater
Noted in the pine woods around Akseki on the 22nd and 28th.

BLUE TIT - Parus caeruleus
A single in the woods north of Akseki on the 28th was the only one seen.

GREAT TIT - Parus major
Singles noted on the 22nd and 25th only.

KRUPER'S NUTHATCH - Sitta krueperi *
At least eight seen on the 22nd in the pine woods just north of Akseki, with a further two seen well but with many others calling in the pine woods 19km north of Akseki on the 28th.

EASTERN ROCK NUTHATCH - Sitta tephronota *
Another of the highlights, with at least six on the 25th around Halfeti, with two in the cemetery itself showing well and quite close, with at least three in the valley above Durnalik on the 26th.

WESTERN ROCK NUTHATCH - Sitta neumayer
Only seen on the 23rd and 24th, with three on a cliff face overlooking the Eregli marshes on the first date and a single at Demirkazik gorge on the second.

SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER - Certhia brachydactyla
At least four in the pine woods north of Akseki on the 28th.

GOLDEN ORIOLE - Oriolus oriolus
One flying across the road south of Demirkazik on the 24th.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE - Lanius collurio
Seen in small numbers on five dates.  Relatively widespread.

LESSER GREY SHRIKE - Lanius minor
Noted on the 22nd and 23rd as a bird frequenting roadside wires.

WOODCHAT SHRIKE - Lanius senator
Three at Halfeti on the 25th were the only ones seen.

MASKED SHRIKE - Lanius nubicus *
Disappointing numbers of this species as far as I was concerned, with two in Akseki cemetery on the 22nd, one at the turn-off to Durnalik on the 24th and four in the meadow/pinewood area north of Akseki on the 28th.

JAY - Garrulus glandarius
A single only, noted on the 27th in the hills between Silifke and Aydincik.

MAGPIE - Pica pica
Noted on four dates, no count made.

ALPINE CHOUGH - Pyrrhocorax graculus
Noted on the 23rd and 24th around Demirkazik.  No count made.

CHOUGH - Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Noted on the 23rd and 24th around Demirkazik.  No count made.

JACKDAW - Corvus monedula
Noted on four dates.

ROOK - Corvus frugilegus
A single noted on the 22nd.

HOODED CROW - Corvus (corone) cornix
Widespread and common and noted throughout the trip.

RAVEN - Corvus corax
Two in the rocky valley immediately above Akseki on the 28th were the only ones seen.

STARLING - Sturnus vulgaris
Noted on three dates.

HOUSE SPARROW - Passer domesticus
Widespread and common, noted on all dates bar one.

SPANNISH SPARROW - Passer hispaniolensis
Only seen on the 23rd around Eregli.

DEAD SEA SPARROW - Passer moabiticus
At least four on the 25th along the banks of the R.Euphrates at Birecik.

TREE SPARROW - Passer mantanus
A single noted on the school wall at the Lesser Kestrel site at Adabag in the Eregli marshes.

PALE ROCK SPARROW - Petronia brachydactyla *
Three in fields high up the valley above Durnalik on the 26th, were a highlight if only because of W.P. rarity value.

YELLOW-THROATED SPARROW - Petronia xanthocollis *
At least ten of this other W.P.rarity at it's western-most outpost on the 25th in the pistachio nut orchards at both Birecik and Halfeti.

ROCK SPARROW - Petronia petronia
Good numbers of this occasionally difficult species, with a minimum of five at Demirkazik on the 23rd and eight on the 24th and at least ten at Birecik on the 25th.

SNOW FINCH - Montifringilla nivalis
Good numbers on Demirkazik mountain, with at least twenty seen on the 23rd and at least fifty on the 24th.

CHAFFINCH - Fringilla coelebs
Noted on the 22nd and 28th in the pine woods around Akseki.

RED-FRONTED SERIN - Serinus pusillus *
Highlight of the trip for me was this species with at least ten being seen on the 23rd around Demirkazik.

SERIN - Serinus serinus
Noted on the 22nd, 25th and 28th.

GREENFINCH - Carduelis chloris
One on the 25th at Halfeti with two in the pinewoods north of Akseki on the 28th.

GOLDFINCH - Carduelis carduelis
Widespread and common and noted on all dates.

LINNET - Carduelis cannabina
Relatively widespread but generally in small numbers.  Seen on four dates.

CROSSBILL - Loxia curvirostra
A single juvenile in the pines north of Akseki on the 28th.

CRIMSON-WINGED FINCH - Rhodopechys sanguinea *
Another highlight was the finding of this species on Demirkazik mountain on the 24th, with three drinking from a stream just below the scree slopes on the plateau, and two lower down, just above the ski lodge.

DESERT FINCH - Rhodospiza obsoleta
Two in the pistachio orchards at Birecik on the 25th.

ROCK BUNTING - Emberiza cia
Two at Demirkazik on the 23rd with at least four there the following day.

CINEREOUS BUNTING - Emberiza cineracea *
Brief views of two at Halfeti on the 25th with at least six seen well in the Durnalik valley on the 26th.

ORTOLAN BUNTING - Emberiza hortulana
A single at Demirkazik on the 23rd was the only one seen.

CRETZSCHMAR'S BUNTING - Emberiza caesia *
Not as common and widespread as I had expected, with one seen above Akseki on the 22nd, two at Durnalik on the 24th, with one there on the 26th.

BLACK-HEADED BUNTING - Emberiza melanocephala
Widespread and common and seen on five dates.

CORN BUNTING - Miliaria calandra
Noted on the 22nd, 23rd and 27th in small numbers.

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