Turkey - Istanbul and the Bosphorus
Migration
Naturetrek Tour Itinerary
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Fly Istanbul.
Day 2/3
Migration watching and sightseeing, Istanbul.
Day 4/5
Uludağ; overnight Bursa.
Day 6/8
Migration watching and sightseeing Istanbul.
Day 9
Fly London.
Departs
September
Focus
Birds and sightseeing in Istanbul
Grading
A leisurely birdwatching and sightseeing tour
including gentle walks. Grade A.
Dates and Prices
Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk (tour code TUR01) or see the
current Naturetrek brochure.
Highlights:
 Enjoy the autumn migration of storks and raptors over
the Bosphorus
 Explore the cultural and historic attractions of Istanbul
 Visit the Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace
 Watch the migration from the famous Camlica Hills
 Take the ferry across the Bosphorus from Europe to
Asia
 Red-fronted Serin & Krüper’s Nuthatch on Mount
Uludag
 Birdwatching at Lake Ulubat
 Expertly escorted by a Naturetrek ornithologist & local
guides
Naturetrek
Mingledown Barn
T: +44 (0)1962 733051
Wolf’s Lane
Chawton
From top: Kruper’s Nuthatch, Short-toed eagle, White Pelicans.
Images by Geoff Carr & Elizabeth Young
Alton
E: [email protected]
Hampshire
GU34 3HJ
W: www.naturetrek.co.uk
UK
Turkey - Istanbul and the Bosphorus Migration
Tour Itinerary
NB. Please note that the itinerary below offers our planned programme of excursions. However,
adverse weather and other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering of the programme
during the course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximise best use of the time and
weather conditions available.
Introduction
Few cities on earth have had such a colourful history as Istanbul, from its glory days as the capital of the
Byzantine Empire to the present day incarnation of a vibrant, bustling metropolis at the cross-roads between
Asia and Europe. This unique geographical location has also given the city a very special status in the world of
ornithology as a prime spot to observe the mass day-time migration of many thousands of raptors and storks
which each autumn pass over the Bosphorus on their way to wintering quarters in Africa and Arabia. At times
this movement reaches spectacular proportions and we hope to coincide with just such a peak during this
exciting tour, although migration is always weather dependant and nothing can be guaranteed! On quieter days,
or whenever desired by participants (for there will be a lot of flexibility in our programme), we can investigate
the streets and buildings of Istanbul in the company of a local guide but dedicated raptor fanatics can remain as
long as they like on the hills and meet up with the others back at the hotel. This is not a tour where rigid
timetables apply and a change in wind direction might suddenly curtail the sightseeing to get back in position for
an afternoon passage. Mid-way through our stay we leave Istanbul for a few days to enjoy the mountain scenery
and alpine birds of Mount Uludag, the highest point in Western Anatolia. The countryside will be a refreshing
contrast to the city and some opportunist birdwatching along the way could produce a few autumn surprises for
our bird list.
Day 1
Istanbul
We fly from London on a scheduled British Airways service to Istanbul. We then transfer to a comfortable hotel
on the Asian side of the city.
Day 2 – 3
Istanbul
The migration of raptors and storks over the Bosphorus has been known of for centuries but it was not until
detailed observations were carried out in the 1960's that the true scale of these movements became evident.
Teams of birdwatchers, many from the UK, carried out daily counts from the Camlica Hills, which offer
commanding views over the southern end of this narrow waterway linking the Black Sea with the Sea of
Marmara. The results were astonishing and these early findings have been augmented by each season’s records so
that forty years of data now exists from which to calculate population changes in the various species involved in
this annual migration.
Large diurnal migrants tend to drift from one thermal to another in order to reduce the amount of flapping and
consequent loss of energy. The geographical configuration of the land around Istanbul is such that the stream of
raptors and storks arriving from breeding grounds in Eastern Europe can find sufficient 'lift' on the western side
of the Bosphorus to glide safely over the expanse of water and continue on their progress towards an African
winter. When weather conditions are not suitable the birds will bide their time but as soon as favourable thermals
develop again the rush continues. The first birds begin to appear in August and migration continues into
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Tour Itinerary
Turkey - Istanbul and the Bosphorus Migration
October but the flow is not continuous and days of inactivity may be followed by concentrated heavy passage
involving thousands of birds. The timing of a holiday to observe this spectacle is always subject to the vagaries of
weather conditions and migration but statistically mid-September is a very good period and should coincide with
the peak movement of a number of species. Unfortunately not all the range of birds recorded from the Camlica
Hills will be represented, Honey Buzzards for instance tend to travel earlier in the autumn, but based on previous
years we should be assured some memorable observations.
The programme in Istanbul will be entirely flexible to take advantage of suitable conditions. Our aim is for the
bird leader to be in situ on the Camlica Hills throughout the passage period each day which is broadly from midmorning to mid-afternoon. Tour members are welcome to join him for all or part of the time and for those
interested in exploring the cultural attractions of Istanbul we will offer excursions into the city. In this way we
hope to offer the best of both worlds to our tour members.
The components of the bird movements vary throughout the season, and from year to year, but the following
table shows the maximum total numbers estimated over the autumn period over selected years;
Imperial Eagle
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Spotted Eagle
Booted Eagle
Short-toed Eagle
Buzzard
Long-legged Buzzard
Honey Buzzard
Black Kite
20
17,000
20
500
2,000
30,000
10
20,000
3,000
Red Kite
Egyptian Vulture
Griffon Vulture
Sparrowhawk
Levant Sparrowhawk
Hobby
Red-footed Falcon
Black Stork
White Stork
10
600
200
500
7,000
100
250
6,000
200,000
Although it is the sheer numbers of raptors and storks that create the highlights there is also the constant
possibility of a scarcer migrant travelling with the more predictable species and identification skills will be finely
honed after a few days of watching from the Camlica Hills!
Birding elsewhere during our stay will be mostly confined to opportunist searches of gardens and odd patches of
vegetation but with passerine migration in full swing even the sparsest cover may reveal an unexpected warbler
or flycatcher! Laughing Doves are among the interesting avian residents of the city and the waters of the
Bosphorus may yield such species as Mediterranean Gull.
Istanbul is steeped in a thousand years of history but given the constraints of time we are likely to concentrate
our initial sightseeing on three main buildings. The first of these is the Haghia Sofya, a huge Byzantine church
which for over a millennia was the largest enclosed space on the planet. Awesome in scale and architecture it is
still a dominating presence and contains many wonderful mosaics accessible along labyrinths of ancient stone
passages. This is a place where history seems to come to life and for many their visit to the building is almost a
religious experience. Faith is also an essential element of the next building in the trio, the stunning Blue Mosque.
More correctly called the Blue Mosque of Sultanahmet it is situated close by the Haghia Sofya and represents the
zenith of Moslem art in both the design of the building and the exquisite facade. This is still a functioning
mosque and thus entry is limited but even a restricted visit is worthwhile. The Palace of Topkapi completes the
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December 14
Turkey - Istanbul and the Bosphorus Migration
Tour Itinerary
trio and was the former administrative centre and seat of government of the Ottoman Empire. Enclosed by
crumbling old walls, the acres of buildings, courtyards and gardens merit a leisurely exploration and even a full
day may not be long enough to discover the many works of art, intricately decorated rooms and priceless
collections of porcelain and jewellery.
There are of course many more places of interest for visitors to Istanbul representing each era of its history but
even with the time at our disposal we can barely scratch the surface.
Day 4 - 5
Bursa
Temporarily leaving Istanbul behind we drive to Bursa for a two night stay close to Mount Uludag, the largest
mountain in Western Anatolia. Along the way we will be keeping a look out for any interesting roadside birds
and suitable patches of wetland will warrant a brief stop for a scan. At this time of year many migrants can be
encountered along the way including Dalmatian Pelican and the possibility of such passage waders as Broadbilled Sandpiper.
After reaching the historic city of Bursa and checking-in at our hotel we will follow a winding road to the summit
of Uludag passing through beech and pine forests before emerging into the open scree. This is a popular area for
tourists and ski developments ensure that it is rarely free of visitors but we hope to find some of the typical
montane birds which occur here such as Alpine Chough, Chough, Alpine Accentor, Shorelark, and Red-fronted
Serin. We will also hope to find Kruper's Nuthatch in the pine forests and keep our eyes peeled for raptors
overhead.
A second day in this interesting area will enable us to enjoy further birdwatching and to visit the fabulous
mosques in Bursa which are even more magnificent in construction and scale than those of Istanbul.
Day 6
Istanbul
Later in the day we return to Istanbul but not before some further birding in the Uludag National Park.
Day 7– 8
Istanbul
Two more full days to spend as you choose, either migration watching from the Camlica Hills, sightseeing in
Istanbul or a combination of the two.
Day 9
London
Our stay draws to an end and we leave Istanbul on a scheduled British Airways flight back to London
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Tour Itinerary
Turkey - Istanbul and the Bosphorus Migration
Accommodation and food
Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the holiday cost (please note that meals in Turkish hotels tend to be
of a fairly basic nature). Lunches are not included and you may decide to sample the food in one of Istanbul's
many restaurants or settle for simpler fare from roadside vendors. Please allow £5-£10 per day for lunches.
Extra expenses
Please note that the following items are excluded from the cost of your holiday; lunches, drinks, tips, laundry ,
entry Visa (an e-visa currently costs US$20, but is subject to change) and all items of a personal nature.
Grading
Grade A - This is a traditional birdwatching/sightseeing holiday with no prolonged walks.
How to book your place
In order to book a place on this holiday, you will need to read our main Naturetrek brochure and complete and
return the enclosed booking form together with a deposit of 20% of the holiday cost. If you do not have a copy
of this brochure, please call us now on 01962 733051. Alternatively you are welcome to book on the internet by
visiting www.naturetrek.co.uk, or telephone us and make a booking with a credit or debit card.
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Blue Mosque, Istanbul
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