Today we started off with a lovely breakfast courtesy of Hasan's wife with scrambled eggs added to the usual combination of fresh tomato and cucumber, salami, home-made cheese and fresh bread. Local honey and home-made white grape preserve completed the feast. After loading the cases we were off in search of the red-fronted serin which had eluded us the previous day, before we moved on to our next destination.
 |
| Hooded Crow outside the hotel |
Along the same stretch of road as the previous day, it wasn't long before the radio call came through from the other vehicle that Trevor has seen the red-fronted serin. We stopped the minibus, sped back to where the others were parked only to find that they had disappeared. Typical! As we scanned the field we found northern wheatear, linnet and black redstart. Crag martins flew around us distracting our gaze once again, although we were a little more used to their combat missions this morning. Flying straight at us and veering off at the last second - the best food must have been very low to the ground this morning.
 |
| Tree Sparrow |
Mitko decided to do some controlled disturbance by slowly walking towards the area the birds were last seen, we meanwhile were charged with watching for any movement. As he neared the opposite edge of the field his attention was caught by a small flock some way off - we followed his gaze, and suddenly I saw movement at the far end of some distant boulders - it was the serins. A few of us walked to join him and had stunning views of a beautiful preening male - needless to say it was by now raining again - a second bird joined the first for a while before they both flew out of sight. As others were trying to watch from the road -we waited to see if they would reappear, luckily they flew over us several minutes later and landed very near the road, giving some good if a little speedy opportunity for spotting them.
 |
| The 'Bonnell's Eagle' stop |
Finally we tore ourselves away from this spot and were just about to set off when Mitko saw a wallcreeper on a nearby boulder. As I had missed this species yesterday I was keen to catch up. We all dashed out of the bus and stood scanning the rock face. Within seconds I had my first view of this enigmatic bird. Fantastic!
As we watched, it flitted from boulder to boulder gleaning from the deep crevices on the surface. As it moved onto the main cliff face some way off we decided to move a little further down the road. We saw the bird fly off, then disappear behind a distant shrub. But as we neared the original cliff face a second bird - definitely a male, with its black throat on full show - appeared. We watched for ages as this beautiful creature worked it's way over the whole surface digging into the wholes with it's red wing flashes, white tail spots and black throat contrasting against the grey plumage. Having undergone some well meant banter yesterday, the congratulations today were gratefully received. Some people are so generous in their desire for you to see the birds.
 |
| Buying Lunch |
Excitement over for the minute it was time for us to get on our way as we had a long drive ahead of us to Gazientep in the south. I was sitting in the front of the bus and had a great view of the landscape. On our way to the pension a couple of days earlier we had seen very little as it was raining and mud splattered the windows, so it was especially nice to have a front- row seat today. A large raptor was our first sight of note - bonnelli's eagle or crested honey buzzard?? Only time and a couple of photos will tell. (Bonnelli's was the final unanimous decision of the panel!)
 |
| Kirmitli Bird Reserve |
We stopped at a local services for petrol, shopping and toilets then it was full steam ahead for our first destination - a local wetland reserve from old gravel extraction - just like home! Picnic lunch and bird watching - my usual combination. Night heron, white wagtail, short-toed eagle and a calling golden oriole set it apart, but willow warbler, little grebe and sparrowhawk hinted at similarities. European bee-eaters were the real stars perching up on top of nearby bushes and telegraph wires to give great views before soaring up into the air then gliding around on their parachute wings. On the small river demoiselles flew close to the water, an orange tip and clouded yellow butterfly increased our non-avian tally.
 |
A (pale) White-throated Robin
(thanks to Trevor for the use of the 'scope) |
Back on the road for the afternoon stretch and after a couple of hours we were at a small valley leading up between rocky outcrops. On our left cliffs of rock and on the right small fields and orchards - a great birding combination. Our attention was mainly on the left as the sun shone onto the hillside and gave good light for picking things up. Cretzschmar's bunting, barred warbler, semi-collared flycatcher,white-fronted robin (one extremely pale probably a young male) all revealed themselves eventually. Olive-tree warbler, upchers warbler and olivaceous were slight less obliging but gave generously of their song!
Eventually we had to move on, our hotel and dinner awaited. Dinner was at a local restaurant, obviously extremely popular with locals who were out dining in some splendour on a Saturday night. Kebabs and various spicy salads with the local savoury yoghurt drink. Excellent.
