** Sultan Marshes 
Location: south of Kay sen. 
Description: Central Anatolia's largest and best known wetland, a true bird 
paradise. Although well-protected by its status as Nature Reserve, the area is 
threatened by irresponsible and uncontrolled irrigation and drainage schemes 
outside the reserve. Hence DHKD is working on the preservation of the site and 
needs updated information. 
Information required: breeding bird information from selected parts of the area, 
obtainable by staying at one site for at least two days during June; spring 
migration (especially March-April) and autumn migration also welcomed. 
Details: accommodation on site in Ovaciftligi. Car needed for complete survey. 
*** Central Plateau: Lesser Kestrels Falco nautnanni 
Location: entire central plateau, especially Ankara-Eskisehir-Aksehir-Konya- 
Karaman-Eregli-Nigde-Kayseri-Kirsehir-Kirikkale. 
Description: mainly flat; extensive steppes and agricultural land. 
Information required: the Lesser Kestrel is rapidly disappearing from other parts 
of Europe as a result of changes in agriculture and has therefore become a 
conservation flagship in many countries. Spain and Turkey hold the largest 
numbers in the Western Palearctic, but there is no proper estimate of the Turkish 
population. OSME has mapped the known distribution up to 1990. Since then 
incidental observations suggest that the species is concentrated in the area 
mentioned above. Some regions within this area turned out to contain 15 pairs in 
every village and the total Turkish population may well be larger than the 5,000 
pairs of the Spanish population . To obtain an impression of the size of the Turkish 
population, a team with a car could cover this area during two-three weeks in 
June, after having first assessed all existing information. 
Details: a number of other central Anatolian sites could be visited during this 
survey. Financial support for this survey is probably available from international 
sources: serious candidates should apply now to DHKD. One car and three 
experienced birdwatchers, all drivers, would be needed for this difficult task. 
* Erzurum Plain 
Location: just north of Erzurum, northeast Turkey. 
Description: extensive grassland plain at over 2,000 metres. 
Information required: quick breeding bird survey, especially confirmation and 
estimate of number of breeding Cranes Grusgrus (minimum two days) during 15 
May-30 June; assessment of importance of the area during migration seasons, 15 
April-31 May and 15 August-30 September. 
Details: accommodation in Erzurum, can be surveyed on foot. 
* Ispir Vulture Colony 
Location: northeast Turkey, between Trabzon and Erzurum. 
Description: cliff faces in Pontic mountains. The colony of Griffon Vultures Gyps 
fulvus probably holds over 15 nests but exact number has still to be determined. 
AlsoLammergeiers Gypaetus barbatus and Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus 
have been seen here and may breed nearby. 
Information required: a survey would probably take two full days, during June. 
Details: hotel in Ispir, five km from the colony. 
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