A week in Turkey with friends in the cooler part of the year was a nice change to the usually stifling heat that we endure during the summer months of July and August. As always we stay in the mountain village of Uzumulu, high above the coastal town of Fethiye in South West Turkey. The village is still pretty well untouched by commercialism and hasn't lost its unique Turkish charm, that said it was noticeable that some trees had been taken down in preparation for development on the outskirts of the village, the usual good numbers of Syrian Woodpeckers were down to just a few pairs..... maybe the season was partly to blame as much as the loss of trees in this one area!
We planned to have a relaxing "doing nothing" week but we managed to fit in 3 descent trips within about an hours drive and also a local trip to the wonderful Cadianda ruins further up the mountain from the village.
I keep a list of garden birds in Uzumulu and managed to add a few new species this year. Along with the year on year regulars such as Eurasian Jay, Syrian Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Goldfinch ETC (the Orphean Warblers and Olivaceous Warblers have moved on by September) I added Serin, a pair of Black Redstart, a dozen White Wagtail and a female Blackcap. My first ever Hummingbird Hawk-moth was a nice surprise in the garden, it returned on numerous occasions during the week.
An hours drive to Patara ruins was fruitful not only as Liz and myself for the first time managed to walk all the paths around the site which took in ruins that we had not seen before but it also took us close to part of the marshes.
Marsh Harrier and Hobby were the raptors on show with crippling views of a Hobby chasing Dragonflies around the smaller pools. The area also held a dozen or so Reed Warblers, Cettis Warbler, Red Backed Shrikes a single Rufous Tailed Scrub Robin while the wetlands had plenty of Little Egrets, Little Grebe and a lone Snipe.
Red Backed Shrike -male
Marshes and more ruins at Patara
Even more Hummingbird Hawk-moths were on show while we also found this little fella hopping around the ruins, first thought was a Gerbil?
The default birds of the site were huge flocks of Corn Buntings which attracted the attention of a pair of Kestrels which stumped me for a while as they seemed to be hunting "Falcon style" as they swooped in to the flock on numerous occasions. Black Redstarts and good numbers of Stonechat were prevalent on most overhead wires, on top of bushes or simply on the ruins while a stunning Finsch's Wheatear kept to the lower lying areas of the ruins usually flying from stone to stone at a safe distance.
At Tlos the usual Western Rock Nuthatch were loud and visible (although there is an old lady that has a souvenir stall where she sells really annoying versions of the Nuthatch call in a form of whistle), large flocks of Linnet, Crested Larks also a few Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart.
Just before returning home the lads had a morning out with a drive upto Cadianda to see the Roman ruins. Its a brilliant site that has been taken over by woodland which gives it a real mountain fortress feel high up overlooking the coastal city of Fethiye.
and we just about reach the eight of the highest peaks....
Local speciality..... Krupers Nuthatch
We planned to have a relaxing "doing nothing" week but we managed to fit in 3 descent trips within about an hours drive and also a local trip to the wonderful Cadianda ruins further up the mountain from the village.
I keep a list of garden birds in Uzumulu and managed to add a few new species this year. Along with the year on year regulars such as Eurasian Jay, Syrian Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Goldfinch ETC (the Orphean Warblers and Olivaceous Warblers have moved on by September) I added Serin, a pair of Black Redstart, a dozen White Wagtail and a female Blackcap. My first ever Hummingbird Hawk-moth was a nice surprise in the garden, it returned on numerous occasions during the week.
Serin (also Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch)
Jay
Syrian Woodpecker
In the Pine forest behind the garden I did my pilgrimage to find the brilliant Krupers Nuthatch and dually watched 3 individuals feeding in the early morning sun, Dozens of Willow Warblers were in the same area and I also added Goldcrest and Song Thrush as new birds for the Turkey list. It was nice to watch a few Sombre Tits this time rather the distant views I have endured in the past as single birds came directly to the garden to feed very early in the morning, unfortunately the images I got were in dense shade..... But heyho.
Krupers Nuthatch
Sombre Tit
An hours drive to Patara ruins was fruitful not only as Liz and myself for the first time managed to walk all the paths around the site which took in ruins that we had not seen before but it also took us close to part of the marshes.
About Patara
I couldn't have said it better myself!.......
Marsh Harrier and Hobby were the raptors on show with crippling views of a Hobby chasing Dragonflies around the smaller pools. The area also held a dozen or so Reed Warblers, Cettis Warbler, Red Backed Shrikes a single Rufous Tailed Scrub Robin while the wetlands had plenty of Little Egrets, Little Grebe and a lone Snipe.
Red Backed Shrike - female
Red Backed Shrike -male
Marshes and more ruins at Patara
Reed Warbler
Even more Hummingbird Hawk-moths were on show while we also found this little fella hopping around the ruins, first thought was a Gerbil?
Lizard - sunbathing
The bird of the holiday was the stunning Blue Rock Thrush. At least a few pairs were on the site, a life bird for me so I was happy to return a few days later to see them again..... although I did catch up with even more at Tlos ruins. 
The default birds of the site were huge flocks of Corn Buntings which attracted the attention of a pair of Kestrels which stumped me for a while as they seemed to be hunting "Falcon style" as they swooped in to the flock on numerous occasions. Black Redstarts and good numbers of Stonechat were prevalent on most overhead wires, on top of bushes or simply on the ruins while a stunning Finsch's Wheatear kept to the lower lying areas of the ruins usually flying from stone to stone at a safe distance.
Finsch's Wheatear
Black Redstart
Stonechat
Whilst driving to Tlos two large Eagles caught my eye flying low and infront of the car, I was just able pull over and get out to watch them fly across the path of the car and out of site over some trees unfortunately they didn't reappear but Greater Spotted Eagles frequent the area and are the default species around the areas of YakaPark \ Tlos.
Looking down on the Lycian city of Tlos
the upper City
rather threatening clouds over Tlos
amphitheatre
Lycian tombs
At Tlos the usual Western Rock Nuthatch were loud and visible (although there is an old lady that has a souvenir stall where she sells really annoying versions of the Nuthatch call in a form of whistle), large flocks of Linnet, Crested Larks also a few Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart.
Male Black Redstart
Crested Lark
Western Rock Nuthatch
Just before returning home the lads had a morning out with a drive upto Cadianda to see the Roman ruins. Its a brilliant site that has been taken over by woodland which gives it a real mountain fortress feel high up overlooking the coastal city of Fethiye.
Simon, Phil, Pat and Kevin
and we just about reach the eight of the highest peaks....
Local speciality..... Krupers Nuthatch
5 comments:
What a wonderful place eto visst. Fabulous scenery, looks like good company and marvellou sbirds seen. Loved the Black Redstart
What a bird that wheatear is, stunning plumage. The jay is noticeably differnt from our UK ones.
Fabulous bird finds and wonderful ruins!
A wonderful post Dave...
Great post. I spent some time in Turkey about 25 years ago - birding was on the back burner those days, shame really! Well there is always next year!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
PS: glad you liked the 'wordy' post - although my 'gallery' gets more traffic I work harder on the words!
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