Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival

Transfer from Izmir Airport (c.2 hours) or Bodrum Airport (c.40 minutes) to the Club Natura Oliva resort at Lake Bafa. Depending on the time of day, we can make our first observations in the extensive grounds of the holiday resort and at the lake. Between April and November it is possible to dine under the pergola only 10 metres away from the lakeshore.

Target Species: Ruddy Shelduck, Common Kingfisher, Little Egret, Squacco Heron, Black-necked Grebe or even White-tailed Eagle.

Overnight: Club Natura Oliva Holiday Resort throughout the tour

Day 2: Marble Quarries, Gardens, Maquis, Lakeshore

Walking-tour through a valley with a stream to some ancient marble quarries. Carry on through olive groves and gardens to a reeded area with many small springs which have their source on a peninsula close to the ancient settlement Ioniopolis. At this spot we have previously detected a breeding area for Smyrna Kingfisher. Back to the holiday compound through a small scrub forest containing myrtles. Towards evening we will climb up through the olive groves to the edge of the Mediterranean forest with its arbutus trees and Turkish pines where we are likely to find Krüper‘s Nuthatch. Up here, where you can occasionally find wild boar, Long-legged Buzzards and White-tailed Eagles, we have a magnificent view of Lake Bafa and the Latmos Mountains. We will continue along the edge of the forest, descent to a shrine and walk back along the lakeshore. Depending on the season, at night we can listen to the monotonous call of Scops Owls, the hooting of Tawny Owls or the long drawn-out call of the Little Owl.

Day 3: Meander Valley, Milet, Didyma

Ancient Milet was situated on a peninsular at the Gulf of Latmos south of the delta of the Meander River which has been gradually cutting off the city from the sea during the course of the last 2,000 years. Even today in spring and winter the river still floods some of the large excavation areas. In the harbour area, which in former times was kept open artificially, Pied Avocets can often be seen. White Storks nest on the tall pistachio trees at the old Ottoman Cemetery; sometimes even Great-spotted Cuckoo can be seen. The graves are inhabited by Caspian pond turtles and numerous greenbacks. A colony of Lesser Kestrels can be found at the huge Temple of Apollo at Didyma. Afterwards observations at the Meander River where evidence of Pygmy Cormorant (in the ruins) and Barn Owl can be found. The flat silted areas on the lake shore have many interesting species – often White-tailed Eagles.

Day 4: Meander River, Lake Azap

We have often detected nests of Eurasian Penduline Tits in the low-hanging branches of willows at the Meander River. Here we will look for the Smyrna Kingfisher. Lake Azap, a scenic spot and `Little Brother´ of Lake Bafa, is a pure fresh-water lake with white water-buttercup, reed, bulrush and cattail – an el dorado for water and marsh-birds. Dalmatian Pelican, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill and Black Tern are only a few species which can be observed here.

Day 5: Davurlar National Park, Akgol

With the National Park’s beach as a starting point we proceed through a canyon with huge oriental plane and cypress trees as well as through Mediterranean forest with western and eastern arbutus trees. Depending on the season, dolphins can be seen in the sea as well as Eleonora`s Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Ruppell`s Warbler, and Sub-alpine Warbler close to the sea. We can cross the woody mountains from north to south on a field-trip in approximately 4 hours. Many wild boar can be found here as well as huge oriental plane-trees near a small spring. Western Orphean Warbler and Western Bonelli`s Warbler can also be seen. At Doganbey village we arrive at the silted area of the shallow lagoon (Akgol). Dalmatian Pelican, Stone Curlew and Flamingo have been spotted here.

Day 6: Latmos Mountains towards Sakarkaya

East of Lake Bafa a walkable forestry trail leads into the Latmos Mountains. Chukar Partridge and Bonelli‘s Eagle can be found here as well as Cinereous Bunting (beginning of May).

Day 7: Meander Delta

With the village Akkoy as starting point, we descend through gardens with Rufous Scrub Robin, Olive-tree Warbler and Masked Shrike to the shallow Akgol lagoon. Longer field-trip through dwarf-shrub copses eastwards along the coast with a beautiful view of the extensive silted area. Great Egret and Curlew can often be seen here.

Day 8: Ephesus

Leisurely walk round the extensive ruins at Ephesus. Here you can often see Little Owl and Rock Nuthatch. Afterwards visit to the silted areas of the Meander and the sea coast where with a little bit of luck we can see Cory’s Shearwater.

Day 9: Twin Islands, Herakleia

After a boat trip (20 minutes) starting at the holiday compound - during which we should see Ruddy Shelducks and Dalmatian Pelicans - we arrive at the beautiful, lonely beaches on the northern shore of Bafa Lake. Field trips on the northern lakeshore to Herakleia - partly on an ancient road. Return trip with the boat.

Day 10: Priene, Karine

The impressive ruins of Priene are located below a steep rock face where Short-toed Snake-Eagle can often be seen. There is a magnificent view over the whole Meander Plain and to Lake Bafa. Afterwards we will take a walking-tour from the small fishing village Karine over a higher path along the Akgol (we often see White-tailed Eagle) to the coast.

Day 11: Wetlands near Iasos

Observations at small, reeded lakes, afterwards we will go to the Iasos ruins. The ancient city was formerly situated on an island. Walking-tour through a pinewood near the Temple of Zeus at Euramos in order to find Krueper`s Nuthatch.

Day 12: Monastery of the Seven Brothers, solitary farm in the Latmos Mountains

On a goat trail, with a beautiful view of Lake Bafa, we proceed through a landscape of olive trees and rocks to the Seven Brothers Byzantine monastery ruin, where you should look out for Eurasian Eagle-Owl and Cretzschmar‘s Bunting. During the ascent to an isolated farm it is possible to see Chukar Partridge and Bonelli‘s Eagle. Sometimes you can find brown bear droppings and lost porcupine spikes. The nocturnal porcupines are quite common in this area.

Day 13: Silted area Lake Bafa, Lake Azap

As bird species vary on a daily basis, especially in the migration period, we revisit these excellent field trip areas.

Day 14: Meander River, Akgol

Today we go along the Meander River to its estuary. With luck we should see various waders and ducks on the salt marshes and mudflats at the Akgol.

Day 15: Departure

Transfer Bodrum or Izmir airport. Return flight.