Ornithology in Turkey

Monitoring and understanding of birds, is the most intelligent way to observe our natural environment at the same time. Birds, which are very sensitive to the environmental conditions, can be the prior messenger of the matters such as forest loss, damage of marshes or usage of excessive agricultural medicines. Under this concept, bird observation is among the elements of detailed and healthful environment protection strategies.

Total number of bird species within Turkey is equal to the bird species within whole of the Europe. One of the most important factors that our country is rich in connection with bird species is having plentiful marshes and the other one is it is on the important bird immigration roads. Bird observation stations and observation towers are established within important marshes of our country (Manyas, Izmir, Goksu Deltass etc.), and progresses in connection with ornito-tourism had performed.

Important passing points of bird immigrations, seen especially during autumn and spring months within our country, are Istanbul and Canakkale Straits, Eastern Mediterranean (Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep) and North East Anatolia (Artvin, Rize, Kars). North East Anatolia region has an important potential especially in connection with preying birds. For example, in North East Anatolia, You can only face with Lyrurus mlokeesiewiczi in Georgia and in this region.

Especially marshes on the bird immigration roads have important potential in connection with birds. Bird observation (ornithology) is rapidly widespread within Turkey during recent years. Currently "bird observation groups" had been established within various cities. Groups are sharing information and registries related with their performed observations under Internet environment. Some of the places are: