Especially during the winter months, migratory birds from Siberia and Northern Europe come to the delta to spend the winter. This year, the delta is also hosting thousands of birds of various species, including swans.
THE NUMBER OF SWANS IN THE DELTA REACHES A THOUSAND
Kadir Yılmaz, the Responsible for the Kızılırmak Delta Wetland Bird Sanctuary under the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, told AA reporter that the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, hosts a large number of migratory bird species during the winter.
Pointing out that the delta is one of Turkey’s largest wetlands, Yılmaz stated, ‘With the start of winter migrations, the delta hosts hundreds of thousands of birds. There are 500 bird species observed in Turkey, and we have recorded 365 species in the Kızılırmak Delta.’
Yılmaz emphasized that with the start of the winter migrations, swans, whose numbers reach a thousand in the delta, can be seen, ‘There are three types of swans here; the whooper swan, the mute swan, and the tundra swan. They winter here. Visitors to the delta can watch the swans with the naked eye, guided by an expert. Swans, which are among the largest species of the duck family, offer a visual feast to visitors with their beauty.’
Yılmaz continued, highlighting the importance of the delta:
‘The Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary is the place in Turkey where the highest number of bird species are observed together during mid-winter bird counts. Due to the practices of the Metropolitan Municipality in the delta, human interference with natural life has been minimized. As a result of the measures taken, there has been a noticeable increase in both the number of birds and other animal presence in the delta. Of the 365 bird species in the delta, 165 can be seen year-round. Other species are those that come to spend the summer and winter periods.’
Yılmaz explained that the delta experiences an impressive density of birds due to its rich food resources, suitability of habitats, and location on the migration route, adding that winters are harsh in Siberia and Northern Europe, which is why migratory birds from these regions spend the winter here before returning to their original locations.
