292 of the 490 bird species visiting Turkey were observed in Konya

292 of the 490 bird species visiting Turkey, which is on the migration routes of birds due to its geographical location, were observed in Konya.

In order to monitor water bird populations and changes in wetland ecosystems in the long term, Mid-Winter Water Bird Counts (KOSKS) are carried out across the country under the coordination of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP).

Counts are carried out in order to protect wetlands and waterfowl, and to determine the numbers of birds and where they gather most.

 According to the data revealed after the counts and observations carried out by the DKMP 8th Regional Directorate teams in 8 wetlands, approximately half of the bird species migrating through Turkey are seen in the wetlands in Konya.

DKMP 8th Regional Director Orhan Çatalçam said that they carried out censuses with the participation of general directorate staff and bird experts to protect wildlife and wetlands in the country.

Stating that they carried out the counts in January and February, when the migratory activity of bird species is lowest, Çatalçam said, “Wetlands are currently one of the most endangered areas in the world. In order to protect the water birds in these wetlands, we determine how many there are and where the populations are concentrated.”

Stating that especially bird species that migrate by gliding pass over Turkey, Çatalçam said that “Some of the migrating birds prefer our country for breeding grounds and some for wintering. Approximately 490 bird species have been identified in our country so far. 292 of them were observed in Konya. That means almost half of them stop by Konya. Last year Approximately 300 thousand birds of 42 species passed through Konya. There may be differences in these numbers from year to year. For example, while last year there were around 5-10 flamingos in the Akgöl reeds, this year around 300 flamingos were observed. Increasing wetlands is of great importance for water birds.”