Antalya Trip - 2

The first of two visits to the Korketeli Hills and other sites featured in the Gosney Guide for SW Turkey. A little early for species such as White-throated Robin, it was still worth having a look on the outside chance of a keen individual arriving on territory early. What did become apparent was just how out-of-date the guide was. Absolutely no fault of the author, four years is a long time in the development of the road network, particularly the new dual carriageway and connecting routes. The D-635 that leads to the favoured White-throated Robin site is currently closed while road-widening construction takes place. However, a minor road just to the right of where the main carriageway ends winds up the hill to some promising habitat.

Parking the car at a random spot, I walked into an area of scattered low pine. There was plenty of bird song and some real interest here. Eastern Black-eared Wheatear were notable, stunning birds as they sang from the treetops. A single Cirl Bunting was also in full song while a Black Redstart flitted between the vegetation, and a Common Cuckoo called from the middle-distance.

Then a surprise and one of my targets, two male Ruppell’s Warbler flew across and sang from the top of the pines, cracking birds characterized by their black heads and bold white moustachal strip. A really special bird.

A couple of Steppe Buzzard circled the valley, the backdrop bordered by snow-capped peaks and rolling hills. The sound of a light breeze that washed over the pure landscape, drenched by the warm sun that sparkled against a crisp blue sky.

The rest of the day was spent trying to prize out other species that involved spontaneous stop-offs, a couple of short climbs, and the scan of agricultural land offset from the main carriageway. These random forays yielded yet more Cretzchmars’ Bunting, and a couple of obliging Woodlark.

We managed to find the ‘Radio Mast’ site which was altogether very quiet, but did hold a stunning male Finsch’s Wheatear near to the ‘hollow’ as described in the Gosney Guide. A Spur-thighed Tortoise mosied along the rough land, and a small group of Rock Sparrow were present on the rocks. Two Red-billed Chough called as they flew over toward the valley. The area immediately surrounding the masts was deathly quiet.