A NEW RAPTOR WATCHPOINT AT THE BOSPHORUS 
Nigel Tucker 
During September 1988, Hugh Miles and I visited the Bosphorus to film bird 
of prey migration for a sequence in a forthcoming television programme on 
European raptors. From 16 - 24 September, we concentrated our efforts on 
either 'Big' or 'Little' Camlica Hill. These two hills have traditionally 
been the places to witness large numbers of birds passing overhead. Each 
day we were disappointed with the numbers seen and with the distance at 
which we saw them, though there was the occasional group or individuals 
which came closer and lower; and we also saw quite large and close flocks 
of storks. 
From 'Big' Camlica, we had seen many birds crossing the Bosphorus to our 
north, almost on the edge of vision. We also learned from other 
birdwatchers of a place north of Istanbul, on the European side, which was 
forested, and where large numbers of eagles and storks had been seen 
'putting down for the night'. On 25 September, we decided to investigate 
other areas. ideally, we wanted footage of large numbers of eagles 
crossing the Bosphorus, coming head-on and passing overhead. First, we 
tried to find another migration crossing point on the Asian side. We 
travelled as far north as Beykoz and tried to follow the coast road north, 
but, just out of the town, the way is blocked by an Array camp. So, we 
decided to look for the place in the forest on the European side. 
About 15 km north of Istanbul is the town of Sariyer (Map 1), set on the 
edge of the Bosphorus. A road inland from Sariyer leads to an old 
aqueduct, just to the south is an area of higher ground where a reasonable 
view over the forest can be obtained. After more than an hour's wait, the 
sky in the west became dark with birds, coming straight towards us. 
During the next hour, approximately 4,500 birds passed overhead in a 
continual, broad stream. While the birds were still in view, we attempted 
to follow them and find their crossing point over the Bosphorus. 
Eventually, we found a way up the right hill - naturaily called Sariyer 
Hill (Map 2) - and found a good position to watch the continuing 
migration. From the hill, the view of the Bosphorus is superb, and the 
birds came straight towards us, passed overhead and then, using the 
therraals from this narrow ridge, headed across the Bosphorus to another 
high ridge on the Asian side - so losing very little height. We judged 
the opposite ridge to be in the army camp we had found earlier. 
We were staying in Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul in a hotel packed 
with birders. On our return, we learned that it had been another poor day 
on 'Little' Camlica, the hill from which most people were now watching. 
We had not only seen many more birds, but also a greater variety than at 
any time on the Camlica Hills: five species of eagle including Imperial 
and White-tailed, and both Peregrine and Lanner. 
The following day, we returned to Sariyer Hill, this time with three Dutch 
and two Belgian birders; a coach full of Belgians followed later. 
