Türkiye’s census records 157,503 waterbirds in 30 wetlands

Birdwatchers tally 157,503 waterbirds across 30 wetlands in Türkiye’s Izmir, Manisa, Aydin and Mugla, underscoring rich biodiversity

Birdwatchers recorded 157,503 waterbirds this winter in 30 wetlands across the provinces of Türkiye’s Izmir, Manisa, Aydin and Mugla.

The survey was part of the Mid-Winter Waterbird Census, involving nongovernmental organizations(NGOs) and volunteer bird watchers under the coordination of the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

Key locations included the Gediz, Bakircay and Guzelhisar deltas, the Gulf of Izmir and several lakes, identifying 81 different species.

The Gediz Delta was the most diverse area, with 55,509 birds from 61 species, followed by the Buyuk Menderes Delta and Lake Bafa, highlighting the region’s importance for bird diversity. Flamingos topped the count, followed by ruddy shelducks, coots, silver gulls and great cormorants, with sightings of less common species like avocets and swans.

Census Coordinator Hasan Pasali, explained that this effort is part of an international initiative by Wetlands International to monitor waterbird populations and wetland ecosystem changes over time. The counts are conducted annually in Jan. and Feb. when bird migration is at its lowest. This year marked the 40th count in Türkiye, involving 52 participants from various organizations.

The census aims to track waterbird populations and changes in wetland ecosystems, focusing solely on waterbirds. It contributes to a global effort to understand bird population trends, with the flamingo being the most observed species this year.

Last year, a similar survey recorded 164,666 birds across 28 wetlands, underscoring Türkiye’s role in global bird conservation efforts.

Source: Newsroom