Turkey is a wonderful country. The Turkish culture, history, the attractive cities and beaches could be reasons to travel there. As a birdringer, besides these, the nature and the birds are important when I choose a place where to go. Turkey is rather like a small continent, because all types of habitats and beautiful landscapes can be found there. And the birds: in the WP there are a lot of species that can be found just in Turkey.
I was in autumn in Kars, so I did not see too many Turkish endemics, but the migration was a great experience. We saw and ringed numerous good species, sometimes in good amounts. In Kuyucuk the waders were the main targets, but with a few other nets we caught some exciting passerines as well (check the species list of the lake). On the lake Kuyucuk and on the grassland around that a few hour long trip could produce a good list. Endangered and rare species in huge numbers took some rest on the lake. At the Aras station we caught almost just passerines, but sometimes a few raptors were trapped as well. In the closest valleys a few Turkish endemics could be found.
The living conditions are like on the most ringing stations. The host and the local students are very friendly, and the Kuzeydoga Society’s staff provides for the food and the equipment.
I can offer to work with the Kuzeydoga Society to everyone who would like to ring some exciting birds in a beautiful place to get a great experience.
Daniel Hegedüs
Budapest, Hungary
