Turkey - Istanbul and the Bosphorus Migration

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1 Turkey - and the Bosphorus Migration Naturetrek Tour Itinerary Outline itinerary Day 1 Day 2/3 Day 4/5 Day 6/8 Day 9 Fly. Migration watching and sightseeing,. Uludağ; overnight Bursa. Migration watching and sightseeing. Fly London. Departs September Focus Birds and sightseeing in Grading A leisurely birdwatching and sightseeing tour including gentle walks. Grade A. Dates and Prices Visit (tour code TUR01) or see the current Naturetrek brochure. Highlights: Enjoy the autumn migration of storks and raptors over the Bosphorus Explore the cultural and historic attractions of Visit the Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace Watch the migration from the famous Camlica Hills Take the ferry across the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia Red-fronted Serin & Krüper s Nuthatch on Mount Uludag Birdwatching at Lake Ulubat Expertly escorted by a Naturetrek ornithologist & local guides From top: Kruper s Nuthatch, Short-toed eagle, White Pelicans. Images by Geoff Carr & Elizabeth Young Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0) E: info@naturetrek.co.uk W:

2 Turkey - and the Bosphorus Migration Tour Itinerary NB. Please note that the itinerary below offers our planned programme of excursions. However, adverse weather and other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering of the programme during the course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximise best use of the time and weather conditions available. Introduction Few cities on earth have had such a colourful history as, from its glory days as the capital of the Byzantine Empire to the present day incarnation of a vibrant, bustling metropolis at the cross-roads between Asia and Europe. This unique geographical location has also given the city a very special status in the world of ornithology as a prime spot to observe the mass day-time migration of many thousands of raptors and storks which each autumn pass over the Bosphorus on their way to wintering quarters in Africa and Arabia. At times this movement reaches spectacular proportions and we hope to coincide with just such a peak during this exciting tour, although migration is always weather dependant and nothing can be guaranteed! On quieter days, or whenever desired by participants (for there will be a lot of flexibility in our programme), we can investigate the streets and buildings of in the company of a local guide but dedicated raptor fanatics can remain as long as they like on the hills and meet up with the others back at the hotel. This is not a tour where rigid timetables apply and a change in wind direction might suddenly curtail the sightseeing to get back in position for an afternoon passage. Mid-way through our stay we leave for a few days to enjoy the mountain scenery and alpine birds of Mount Uludag, the highest point in Western Anatolia. The countryside will be a refreshing contrast to the city and some opportunist birdwatching along the way could produce a few autumn surprises for our bird list. Day 1 We fly from London on a scheduled British Airways service to. We then transfer to a comfortable hotel on the Asian side of the city. Day 2 3 The migration of raptors and storks over the Bosphorus has been known of for centuries but it was not until detailed observations were carried out in the 1960's that the true scale of these movements became evident. Teams of birdwatchers, many from the UK, carried out daily counts from the Camlica Hills, which offer commanding views over the southern end of this narrow waterway linking the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The results were astonishing and these early findings have been augmented by each season s records so that forty years of data now exists from which to calculate population changes in the various species involved in this annual migration. Large diurnal migrants tend to drift from one thermal to another in order to reduce the amount of flapping and consequent loss of energy. The geographical configuration of the land around is such that the stream of raptors and storks arriving from breeding grounds in Eastern Europe can find sufficient 'lift' on the western side of the Bosphorus to glide safely over the expanse of water and continue on their progress towards an African winter. When weather conditions are not suitable the birds will bide their time but as soon as favourable thermals develop again the rush continues. The first birds begin to appear in August and migration continues into Naturetrek December 14 1

3 Tour Itinerary Turkey - and the Bosphorus Migration October but the flow is not continuous and days of inactivity may be followed by concentrated heavy passage involving thousands of birds. The timing of a holiday to observe this spectacle is always subject to the vagaries of weather conditions and migration but statistically mid-september is a very good period and should coincide with the peak movement of a number of species. Unfortunately not all the range of birds recorded from the Camlica Hills will be represented, Honey Buzzards for instance tend to travel earlier in the autumn, but based on previous years we should be assured some memorable observations. The programme in will be entirely flexible to take advantage of suitable conditions. Our aim is for the bird leader to be in situ on the Camlica Hills throughout the passage period each day which is broadly from midmorning to mid-afternoon. Tour members are welcome to join him for all or part of the time and for those interested in exploring the cultural attractions of we will offer excursions into the city. In this way we hope to offer the best of both worlds to our tour members. The components of the bird movements vary throughout the season, and from year to year, but the following table shows the maximum total numbers estimated over the autumn period over selected years; Imperial Eagle 20 Red Kite 10 Lesser Spotted Eagle 17,000 Egyptian Vulture 600 Spotted Eagle 20 Griffon Vulture 200 Booted Eagle 500 Sparrowhawk 500 Short-toed Eagle 2,000 Levant Sparrowhawk 7,000 Buzzard 30,000 Hobby 100 Long-legged Buzzard 10 Red-footed Falcon 250 Honey Buzzard 20,000 Black Stork 6,000 Black Kite 3,000 White Stork 200,000 Although it is the sheer numbers of raptors and storks that create the highlights there is also the constant possibility of a scarcer migrant travelling with the more predictable species and identification skills will be finely honed after a few days of watching from the Camlica Hills! Birding elsewhere during our stay will be mostly confined to opportunist searches of gardens and odd patches of vegetation but with passerine migration in full swing even the sparsest cover may reveal an unexpected warbler or flycatcher! Laughing Doves are among the interesting avian residents of the city and the waters of the Bosphorus may yield such species as Mediterranean Gull. is steeped in a thousand years of history but given the constraints of time we are likely to concentrate our initial sightseeing on three main buildings. The first of these is the Haghia Sofya, a huge Byzantine church which for over a millennia was the largest enclosed space on the planet. Awesome in scale and architecture it is still a dominating presence and contains many wonderful mosaics accessible along labyrinths of ancient stone passages. This is a place where history seems to come to life and for many their visit to the building is almost a religious experience. Faith is also an essential element of the next building in the trio, the stunning Blue Mosque. More correctly called the Blue Mosque of Sultanahmet it is situated close by the Haghia Sofya and represents the zenith of Moslem art in both the design of the building and the exquisite facade. This is still a functioning mosque and thus entry is limited but even a restricted visit is worthwhile. The Palace of Topkapi completes the 2 Naturetrek December 14

4 Turkey - and the Bosphorus Migration Tour Itinerary trio and was the former administrative centre and seat of government of the Ottoman Empire. Enclosed by crumbling old walls, the acres of buildings, courtyards and gardens merit a leisurely exploration and even a full day may not be long enough to discover the many works of art, intricately decorated rooms and priceless collections of porcelain and jewellery. There are of course many more places of interest for visitors to representing each era of its history but even with the time at our disposal we can barely scratch the surface. Day 4-5 Bursa Temporarily leaving behind we drive to Bursa for a two night stay close to Mount Uludag, the largest mountain in Western Anatolia. Along the way we will be keeping a look out for any interesting roadside birds and suitable patches of wetland will warrant a brief stop for a scan. At this time of year many migrants can be encountered along the way including Dalmatian Pelican and the possibility of such passage waders as Broadbilled Sandpiper. After reaching the historic city of Bursa and checking-in at our hotel we will follow a winding road to the summit of Uludag passing through beech and pine forests before emerging into the open scree. This is a popular area for tourists and ski developments ensure that it is rarely free of visitors but we hope to find some of the typical montane birds which occur here such as Alpine Chough, Chough, Alpine Accentor, Shorelark, and Red-fronted Serin. We will also hope to find Kruper's Nuthatch in the pine forests and keep our eyes peeled for raptors overhead. A second day in this interesting area will enable us to enjoy further birdwatching and to visit the fabulous mosques in Bursa which are even more magnificent in construction and scale than those of. Day 6 Later in the day we return to but not before some further birding in the Uludag National Park. Day 7 8 Two more full days to spend as you choose, either migration watching from the Camlica Hills, sightseeing in or a combination of the two. Day 9 London Our stay draws to an end and we leave on a scheduled British Airways flight back to London Naturetrek December 14 3

5 Tour Itinerary Turkey - and the Bosphorus Migration Accommodation and food Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the holiday cost (please note that meals in Turkish hotels tend to be of a fairly basic nature). Lunches are not included and you may decide to sample the food in one of 's many restaurants or settle for simpler fare from roadside vendors. Please allow 5-10 per day for lunches. Extra expenses Please note that the following items are excluded from the cost of your holiday; lunches, drinks, tips, laundry, entry Visa (an e-visa currently costs US$20, but is subject to change) and all items of a personal nature. Grading Grade A - This is a traditional birdwatching/sightseeing holiday with no prolonged walks. How to book your place In order to book a place on this holiday, you will need to read our main Naturetrek brochure and complete and return the enclosed booking form together with a deposit of 20% of the holiday cost. If you do not have a copy of this brochure, please call us now on Alternatively you are welcome to book on the internet by visiting or telephone us and make a booking with a credit or debit card. Receive our e-newsletter Join the Naturetrek ing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit to sign up. Blue Mosque, 4 Naturetrek December 14