Turkey (gobirding.eu)

This is the second section of the trip report and contains details and photos of the birds and wildlife seen. This section spans several pages: a link to the next page appears at the bottom of this one, or go to the report index.

For details of the itinerary and photos of scenery and historic sites, go to the first section.

Non-avian Wildlife (except Butterflies)

I. MAMMALS

Persian Squirrel Sciurus anomalus - A few seen including at Uzuncaburç and Akseki.


Persian Squirrel, Uzuncaburç, 10th May

Anatolian Souslik Spermophilus xanthoprymnus - Very common in the Demirkazık; also near the Ihlara Valley and at Eşmekaya, and possibly elsewhere. Thanks to Jan Stefka for the specific ID.



Anatolian Sousliks, Demirkazık and Pınarbaşı, 16th-17th May

Golden Jackal Canius aureus - One prowling behind the observation tower at Göksu Delta at dusk.


Golden Jackal, Göksu Delta, 10th May

Ibex (Wild Goat) Capra aegagrus - Although referred to as Ibex, as far as I can tell the only species of Ibex that occurs in Turkey is the much less exciting-sounding Wild Goat. Anyway, whatever they're called there were at least 2 on the crags above Pınarbaşı.


Ibex or Wild Goats, Pınarbaşı, 18th May

II. REPTILES

Lizard sp. - I've no idea which Lizards occur in Turkey or how to identify them, so if you can tell me what any of these are, please get in touch!

Update - at least some of these look like Agamas Laudakia stellio - thanks to Duncan.


Lizards, Uzuncaburç, 10th May

Lizard, Nemrut Dağı, 15th May

Lizard, Demirkazık, 17th May (with a Souslik)	Lizard, Arsemeia, 15th May

Terrapin sp. - Again, if you can tell me what sort of Terrapins these are, please get in touch!

Update - thanks to a lead from Duncan, I now think these are Balkan Terrapins Mauremys (caspica) rivulata.


Terrapins, Göksu Delta, 9th-10th May

Spur-thighed Tortoise Testudo graeca - One at Göksu Delta and 2-3 at Nemrut Dağı.


Spur-thighed Tortoise, Göksu Delta, 9th May	Spur-thighed Tortoise, Nemrut Dağı, 15th May

Spur-thighed Tortoise, Nemrut Dağı, 15th May

III. AMPHIBIANS

Frog sp. - Lots of frogs heard calling at several places (especially Göksu Delta) but not many seen. My resources on Turkish frogs are insufficient to provide a positive ID but based on the limited information I do have I think this one photogaphed in the Ihlara Valley is probably Levant Water Frog Pelophylax bedriagae.


probable Levant Water Frog, Ihlara Valley, 19th May

IV. DRAGONFLIES

Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens - I was hoping these would turn out to be something more interesting but it would seem not.


Banded Demoiselle, Ihlara Valley, 19th May

Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope - I didn't make much attempt to identify any dragonflies that didn't fall within range of the camera (which wasn't many) but I'm pretty sure that this species was present in good numbers at Göksu Delta.

Southern Skimmer Orthetrum brunneum - Seen on both visits to Durnalık.


Southern Skimmers, Durnalık, 11th & 13th May

Southern Darter Sympetrum meridionale - One identified (tentatively) from this photo:


Southern Darter, Demircili, 10th May

Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea - Not completely sure about both of these, especially the female-type one:


Scarlet Darters (I think), Göksu Delta, 9th-10th May

Black Pennant Selysiothemis nigra - Certainly the odonate highlight of the trip, although it took me a while to find the ID.


Black Pennant, Birecik, 12th May

V. MISCELLANEOUS INSECTS

Thanks to Isidro for the ID of this large Solitary Wasp.


Megascolia maculata, Göksu Delta, 10th May

Next (and last) page: Butterflies and Moths

Turkey trip report index