Migratory waterbirds arrive in İzmir after 2,000-kilometer journey

Photos: AA

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Migrating due to the decreasing temperatures in Europe, more than 35 waterbird species have arrived in the Gediz Delta Wetland, also known as the İzmir Bird Sanctuary, in western Turkey.

The bird sanctuary, where 300 bird species have been observed to date, provides a suitable feeding and shelter environment for waterbirds during the winter months.

Protected under the Ramsar Convention, the Gediz Delta Wetland is one of the few breeding areas for flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans.

The bird population in the bird sanctuary is the highest at this time of the year. It will decrease slightly at the end of February when some bird species will set off for Africa.

Turkey is on the Mediterranean-Black Sea migration route, which is one of the main routes for winter migration for birds. Winter migratory birds, which set off from the north of Europe and head south through Greece, take a break at the İzmir Bird Sanctuary. Some bird species spend the whole winter in İzmir. (RT/VK)