before returning to it and continuing to drive first eastwards and then 
northwards for a further 14 km to the village of Hotamis itself. While 
we were obviously unable to ascertain how far drought - this being one 
of the factors identified by Grimmett et al (1989) as being a potential 
threat to the area - might have affected the area, circumstantial 
evidence from the marsh we found would suggest that it is not a 
problem. Here the vegetation appeared quite luxuriant and green, and 
the water level on the only visible pool was obviously high. In addition, 
both cereal farming, mainly wheat, and goat and sheep grazing were 
well in evidence. We could not determine whether any permanent 
reclamation work had been undertaken for the farming to continue 
and expand; but the field systems did appear well established. 
A detailed survey of the Hotamis area would still be valuable and 
would provide an essential update to OSME's Sites Register Scheme. 
This survey should concentrate not only on the area we covered, but 
should also spread its catchment, as the Hotamis marshes have ap- 
peared to be fully drained before, notably in 1974 (Brace and Webb 
unpub.). Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the eastern end 
of Hotamis may indeed have been permanently reclaimed, as the 
recent maps, especially those published by Hildebrand (1989) and 
Kummerley and Frey (1988), the research of Grimmett and Jones 
(1989), and a visit by D. Rushforth in 1988 all suggest. Rushforth was 
eventually able to find a large marsh which still provided good 
birding, even though he was unable to get very close to it. Nonetheless, 
among the large numbers of the more common waterbirds he also saw 
species such as Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus and Marbled 
Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris, as well as hearing no less than 10 Bit- 
terns Botaurus stellaris. 
It may well be that the major wetland site of Hotamis has not been 
irrevocably lost, but as comprehensive a survey as possible is urgently 
needed. Would-be survey workers would require at least three full 
days adequately to cover the area by car; or a week minimmum 
without a vehicle. Anyone interested in participating in such a scheme, 
or in organising it, should contact OSME's Turkish Officer c/o The 
Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire. OSME would be grateful for any other 
information on the site. 
Note. All place names have been Anglicised. 
Acknowledgments 
I should like to thank D. A. Rushforth for providing his recent information on 
Hotamis, and Rod Martins for placing his extensive Turkey file at my disposal. 
Chris Bowden also made helpful contibutions towards this note. 
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