from local people gave me a reasonable insight into the distribution of 
this habitat within the rest of the main range. Enver Lucas (co-author of 
Trekking in Turkey, Lonely Planet Guides, 1989) provided much useful 
information on Rhododendron distribution, particularly in northern areas. 
Several species of Rhododendron occur in the Pontic Alps: R caucasicum is 
dominant and extensively distributed above the treeline up to 3000m, 
with R smirnovii and R ungernii also occuring, the latter often along 
streamsides. In the areas we surveyed in detail Rhododendron was 
distributed as follows: 
1 South of the divide, on steep north facing slopes only. Practically none 
was found in the valley above or below Dilber Duzu. In Diipeduz, the 
next valley to the north, there was significantly more on the steepest 
north facing slopes. 
2 Most extensively on north or north west facing slopes. 
Only one Black Grouse was encountered: an adult male feeding on a 
Rhododendron covered slope in the valley below Buyuk Deniz Golii and 
the Kavron Gec^idi at about 2700m. Unfortunately, during our stay in 
what appeared to be good Black Grouse habitat at Karadeniz Golii, 
visibility was less than 10m for over 80% of daylight hours. 
Caspian Snowcock 
I found this species to be quite common in the Ka^kar Daglari. Mostbirds 
were located from calls. A wide variety are uttered including a loud, far- 
carrying Curlew-like call, a number of bubbling and gurgling calls some 
of which can only be heard at close range and a hard 'chok chok chok' 
uttered when disturbed or in flight. Calling commences about half an 
16 
