Marsh Harrier can be seen in good number throughout the year.
Photo: Akif Aykurt
| Size: | 1470 ha. |
| Coordinates: | 39 12 N 31 39 E |
| Altitude: | 799 m. |
| Location: | Balýkdamý is situated ca. 30 km south of Sivrihisar, Eskiþehir. Take the road to the ancient town Pessinus at the crossroads just at the enterance of Sivrihisar which is indicated by the yellow sign. The road goes through Ballihisar, Ertuðrulkoy and finally to Ahiler or Balýkdamý. |
| Site description: | A large wetlands on the Sakarya River that has atrificially been made by flood control schemes. The marshland can be divided into two halves as: The Western part which is made of marshes and grassland between Ahiler and Kurtþehy. On the eastern half there are reedbeds, open water, mudflats and flooded trees around the town Balýkdamý. The habitat around the lake is extensive cereal fields. The site can be easily visited by a daily trip from Ankara. |
| Strategy: | Take the road to Ahiler coming from Sivrihisar. Take a look to the mudflats and open water on the east of the road. Then you can have a walk eastwards from Ahiler along the southern border of the wetland to the small dam on the river next to the white building. |
| Birds: |
In summer residents that probably or regularly breed in the area are
Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little
Egret, Grey Heron, Garganey, Ferruginous Duck, Montagu's Harrier (15
pairs), Lesser Kestrel (10 pairs in Ahiler), Black-winged
Stilt, Stone Curlew, Lapwing and White-winged Black Tern.
In spring migrating White Stork (max. 17915) and Garganey are very common. Good number of raptors may be observed flying high over the wetland. Other migrants include White Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Black Stork and Ruff. In winter dabbling ducks are the dominating species. Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard and Lapwings are in good numbers. |
| Other wildlife: | Suslik is very common around the lake. |