Lake Çöl (Lake Çanak)

Size:1500 ha..
Coordinates:39 18 N 32 54 E
Altitude:1045 m..
Location: Lake Çöl is located ca. 75 km south of Ankara on the west side of the E5 road. The lake is surrounded by the towns (from north to south) Gülbaðý, Gölbek, Çeltek, Gökler and Altýnçanak.
Site description: A shallow saline lake fed by small streams. It is surrounded by seasonal mudflats and marshes and dries up comletely during summer. Dryer areas around the lake is used as wheat, barley, lentil and chichpea fields.
Strategy: Take the road around the lake and try to approach the lake from Çeltek.
Birds: Greater Sand Plover breeds at the lake. Other breeding birds include Mallard, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Kentish Plover and Lapwing. White-headed Duck, gulls and terns which probably breed at Lake Kulu visit the lake to feed.
Before 1989, the lake supported large number of waterfowl like White-fronted Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Teal, Flamingo and Black-winged Stilt. Due to the lack of water in recent years those birds diminished.

Prepared by Kerem Ali Boyla
Last updated on 09.01.1998

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