TURKEY – BROWN FISH-OWL 2011

We are pleased to report that the first Brown Fish-owl tour was a big success with participants enjoying sightings on two out of the three nights. Indeed, the views on the second visit were prolonged and photographs will be appearing on the website shortly. Equally importantly, contributions can now be made to both the landowners and Birdwatch Turkish to ensure the survival of this critically endangered relict population. Indeed, the owner and managers of the fish farm were impressed that birders would come so far to see these special birds and are now doing their utmost to protect them. Up to two years ago birds were routinely shot as of course they always take the best and most valuable fish and it threatened their livlihood but now that compensation is being paid they are happy to tolerate them. Other birds seen on the tour included Short-toed Snake-eagle, Booted Eagle, Middle Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers, Black-eared, Finsch's and Isabelline Wheatears, European Roller, Eastern Bonelli's, Eastern Olivaceous, Easter Orphean, Olive-tree and Rüppell's Warblers, Graceful Prinia, Krüper's and Western Rock Nuthatches, Sombre Tit, White-throated Robin, White-spectacled Bulbul, Fire-fronted Serin, White-winged Snowfinch and Crimson-winged Finch. The next tour is at the end of September. All photographs are courtesy of Bo Carlsson.