A short trip back to Turkey at the end of Autumn allowed a little Bird and Wildlife watching. Most migrants had already departed, especially around the village and garden. While just a few were remaining in some areas that I visited.
I made a 90 minute trip West to spend an overnight stay in Koycegiz to allow a full days bird watching with a fellow brit around his local patches. We had a descent list but still only managed a few migrants including a single Red-backed Shrike, Orphean Warbler, Whinchat, Great Reed Warbler (new for my Turkish list) , Wood Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper (also new for my Turkish list). Other good species including Pygmy Cormorant, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier and the very scarce in the these parts with six Northern Lapwing (another species new for my Turkish list), We heard plenty of Peduline Tits but didn't actually see any, also added was an Otter that actually swam under our feet as it passed under the road in a roadside canal and ditch. The following morning I added Zitting Cisticola.
The day before this trip I headed 90 minutes East upto the area of Seki and Gocu beli Pass (Alt 1850mtrs). Here I was hoping for Red-fronted Serin but unfortunately I couldn't pin one down. Although the list was small I managed a stunning lifer when I disturbed a Wallcreeper which flew right in front of me only 10ft away. This was in a spot that I often stop at to check for a few species, this is at an altitude of around 1300 mtrs and in the perfect habitat. A place that I must stay a little longer in future to try and get a prolonged view, and who knows even a photo opportunity! at the nearby Seki location I only managed Common Kingfisher, Cormorant, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Western Rock-Nuthatch and a single Woodlark.
Western Rock Nuthatch
Rock Sparrow
Cirl Bunting
Even further up the mountain I reached Gocu-beli pass that allowed a few hours birding before being disturbed by a large Kangol mountain dog that made me nervous and I decided to head back down to home. Best birds in this area were Red-breasted Flycatcher, Rock Sparrow, a few Sombre Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Serin, Raven, I heard a few Red-billed Cough and strangely in this mountainous habitat I saw a single Tree Sparrow (new for my Turkish list).
Sombre Tit
A few days out with the wife to local tourist sites got me Blue-Rock thrush, Little Bittern, Steppe Buzzard, Goshawk and a nice view of nearly thirty Raven circling the crags of Pinara ruins, also a quick glimpse of what can only be a Pine Martin. During the quiet birding there were plenty of reptiles , mostly Agamas and a few Lizard species.
Blue Rock-thrush
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker form my garden balcony
and Lizards (one is possibly Common Wall, not sure about the other)
Caucasian Red Squirrel
