The Gull-billed Tern is a common breeding bird making large colonies on the islands in the lake.
Photo: Cem O. Kýraç
| Size: | 860 ha. |
| Coordinates: | 39 05 N 33 09 E |
| Altitude: | 950 m. |
| Location: | Lake Kulu is located east of the town Kulu 110 km south of Ankara. It lies north west of the Lake Tuz. |
| Site description: | It is a shallow slightly brackish lake fed by the Kulu stream from the west. The fringes of the lake are barren except the reeds where small stremas and springs enter the lake. In the middle of the lake there are small islands with bird colonies. At the southern edge of the lake there is a small freshwater pool with reeds along the edge. There is a sandy track leading arounf the lake which is inaccesible in wet winters and in dry summer. The lake is surrounded by treeless steppe with dry cereal fields. |
| Strategy: | The lake can be visited all around the year. Best time is spring when lots of migrants may be observed. |
| Birds: |
Breeding birds include Black-necked Grebe (220 pairs), Greylag,
Shelduck, White-headed Duck, Oystercatcher (5 pairs), Avocet
(150 pairs), Black-winged Stilt(60 pairs), Collared
Pratincole (10 pairs), Greater Sand Plover, Kentish Plover,
Mediterranean Gull (180 pairs), Black-headed Gull (270 pairs),
Slender-billed Gull (330 pairs) and Gull-billed Tern (470
pairs). Greater Flamingo, which probably originate from Lake Tuz,
are regularly observed from April to September. In the surrounding fields
Calandra Lark, Skylark, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit and
Corn Bunting can be observed. In a lucky day Great Bustard
and Black-bellied Sandgrouse can be seen.
On migration Garganey, Red-footed Falcons, Ruff and most other waders can be observed including Marsh Sandpiper which is quite common in the beginning of April. In winter many ducks and White-fronted Geese gather at the lake. |
| Other wildlife: | Suslik is very common around the lake. |