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Archive for the Category »Unusual Trips «
Several locations along Turkey’s Aegean coast draw windsurfers (sailboarders) from around the world because of their excellent conditions.
Prime among them is Alaçati, at the tip of the Çesme peninsula west of Izmir. A protected bay with a sandy bottom, few rocks and reliable steady winds make this—as the locals put it—a windsurfing paradise.
Akkum, two km west of Sigacik (southwest of Izmir, northwest of Ephesus), also has excellent conditions in its two bays off its two nice sandy beaches, Big Akkum and Little Akkum (Büyük Akkum & Küçük Akkum).
When we consider the diversity of bird species in Turkey, both migratory and non-migratory, we can see that Turkey is a unique place for watching birds. There are two major reasons for this abundance, Turkey’s range of different ecosystems and it’s position on bird’s migratory routes.
There are 7 distinct geographical areas in Turkey, each with it’s own natural features, ecosystems, climate and wildlife. These include, arid steppe, deciduous and coniferous forests, mountains, coastal areas and more. Such richness offers many opportunities for wild birds and other wildlife of all kinds.
Many of the birds which migrate between Europe and Africa each year, choose to fly via Turkey. Some of these, stay and breed here whilst many more just pass through. Spring and autumn therefore offer unrivalled opportunities to see the migrating masses. Even in the great metropolis of Istanbul, migrating birds can be seen in significant numbers.
Wetlands
Wetlands are the most important ecosystems, for wild birds, and there are many important examples in Turkey.
The most important is Manyas Kuscenneti, south of the Marmara sea near the town of Bandırma. This lake, of just 64 hectares, is home to more species of bird than anywhere else in Turkey. More than 60 species of bird, including various Owls, Ibis, Heron and Ducks breed here every year.
Located south of the Erciyes mountain, Sultansazligi is a splendid wetland that includes marshes, swamps, fresh and saltwater lakes. Included in the species seen here is a very large colony of greater flamingos.
Among other wetlands of Importance include Izmir Kuscenneti, a coastal wetland, located on Gediz Delta. Despite the close by city, this wetland exhibits an enormous variety of water birds, including breeding colonies of Pelicans and Greater Flamingoes. The wetlands of Yumurtalik, Akyatan and Agyatan are also places of extreme importance for wintering waterfowl in cold winters.
Egirdir and Beysehir lakes are located to the Northwest of Taurus mountains, part of the seven lakes region, and are resting points for migratory birds. Eregli Sazliklari (marshland) on the North of middle Taurus range, has fresh and salt water ecosystems and of course a variety of bird species. The lakes of Karamuk, Eber and Aksehir are freshwater wetlands at the west part of Central Anatolia. They are the favorite localities of wintering geese. Tuz Gölü, a saltwater lake and the second largest lake of the country, is a place to look for Greater Flamingoes, Cranes, Avocets, Geese, Gulls and other waterbirds.
Rivers
There are a number of major river systems in Turkey, including the world famous Euphrates and many lesser known ones. Many of these have deltas including the Kızılırmak and the Göksu which are very important habitats.
Mountains
Turkey has many mountain ranges, where the alpine meadows and forested lower slopes are home to many species of bird. The Kackar mountains in the North East of the country are particularly interesting, with many endemic wildflower species, as well as many woodland and alpine bird species.
Many of the mountains are extensively forested, especially those in the black sea region. One forest of particular importance is located at Soğuksu National park, close to the capital Ankara. Another is the large Olympos national park near Antalya, an extensive pine forest that extends from the mountains down to the sea.
Sea Shores
Turkey has over 8000 km of coastline, covering sandy beaches, cliffs, salt marshes and more. These coastline are home to many species of sea bird, including many species of gull, cormorants and waders of all kinds. Despite encroachment by tourist industry development, you can still find many areas where birds outnumber sunburned tourists.
Spring Time
Thankfully, spring, the best time to see Turkey’s birds, is also outside of peak holiday season, and therefore cheaper and less hassle. Spring is also the time to experience the best weather, before the real hot summer sunshine, makes activity seem less appealing.
Very soon, millions of birds will make their way across the sea from Africa, and for a few short months, add their numbers to those birds already here. Courtship, nesting and hatching will fill the air with birdsong. Those of us who get to sneak a peak at this natural wonder, will consider ourselves lucky indeed.
I cannot remember how many times I have seen the Çoruh, but what I do know is that each time I have felt fresh excitement, particularly when watching people pit their skills against its wild waters. The Çoruh River in Turkey’s northeastern province of Artvin is one of the best rivers in the world for rafting and canoeing. After the World Rafting Championship was held here in 1993, the number of people coming here to enjoy these sports soared dramatically. In recent years it has become a common sight to see canoeing on the various branches of the Çoruh, such as the Barhal River in Yusufeli. Canoeing is still not a well-known sport in Turkey, and most of those who come are foreigners, such as David, who has been coming to Yusufeli every summer for over ten years. The local people say affectionately that he has become one of them, and look forward to his arrival each year. David is an experienced professional canoer who has been ranked in numerous international competitions, and as an instructor accompanies groups of European tourists for canoeing expeditions in Turkey.
The Çoruh is ideal for white river canoeing, with its rapid waters flowing through some of the deepest gorges in Turkey for 354 kilometres before crossing the frontier into Georgia for the final 22 kilometres to the Black Sea. The enormous length of its course through mountainous terrain makes the region one of great importance for water sports. The river rises in the Mescit Mountains, and is joined in turn by its principal tributaries, the Barhal, Oltu, and Berta, the latter river joining the Çoruh just north of the provincial capital of Artvin. Particularly during the spring, when the river is swollen with melting snow, the raging water heightens the excitement of canoeing. Canoeing, which today forms several categories in the Olympic Games, was first developed as a sport by the Scotsman John MacGregor. The International Canoeing Society established in 1924 became the International Canoeing Federation in 1936. To the uninitiated canoeing might appear deceptively simple, but in fact it takes several years to become proficient.
It is impossible to battle successfully with the turbulent water without rigorous training, but having once tasted the exhilaration of this sport, you will be hooked for life. We were eager to complete our preparations and reach the Çoruh as soon as possible, to enjoy hours of excitement negotiating the rapids. We carefully loaded the canoes onto the minibus first, followed by the rest of our equipment. Everything fitted neatly into place, the result of years of experience. I was charged with the job of shopping, and rushed happily off to the grocery store. With the ten of us seated again, we drove away from Yusufeli along the road which follows the course of the Barhal, and began to climb into the mountains. Far off the Altiparmak Mountains could be seen, which meant that we were still in the Black Sea region, but here was none of that luxuriant vegetation characteristic of the coast.
Instead the scenery around us was predominatly painted in tones of yellow, a typical sign of the continental climate of the interior, walled off from the coast by the Eastern Black Sea Mountains. The road, which faithfully follows the course of the river for most of the way, brought us to our starting point in nearly two hours. Because this stretch of the river is narrower than that downstream it flows more swiftly, enhancing the excitement of canoeing. Having floated our canoes and set out, we were soon delighted at the number of rapids. When we approached a large waterfall, however, David went ahead to check out the currents and decide which way we should go. For the benefit of the unexperienced members of the team, he repeated his instructions several times. I saw David drop over the waterfall, and for an instant only his oars were visible in the air. The others followed David over the fall one by one, the canoes making a colourful sight as they were swept along. David gathered the group together in the pool at the foot of the fall, only to discover that one of the novices was missing.
He immediately headed for the spot where the canoeist had disappeared beneath the surface of the water, preparing a rescue rope as he advanced. But as we watched, holding our breath in apprehension, our companion bobbed to the surface, and we all sighed with relief. As we were swept downstream we frequently passed old hanging bridges and traditional Artvin houses made of wood with sheet metal roofs. At one point on the route a minibus on its way to the alpine pasture of Hevek stopped beside the river for a few minutes to watch us curiously. I had not had any lessons in canoeing, but as a child I had acquired a skill which stood me in good stead when I tried my hand at the sport: floating on inner tyres. Now I took the opportunity to demonstrate my virtuosity in this respect.
Setting a broad plank of wood on top of an inner tyre, and seating myself comfortably upon this primitive raft, I floated gently on a shallow and calm stretch of water near to Yusufeli. The sight must have been entertaining, as our expedition concluded with laughter all round.