Konya, located on bird migration routes in Turkey, is home to 292 out of the 490 bird species that pass through the country.
In order to monitor the long-term changes in waterfowl populations and wetland ecosystems, Midwinter Waterfowl Counts (KOSKS) are conducted nationwide under the coordination of the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP). The counts are conducted to protect wetlands and waterfowl, and to determine the bird populations and the areas where they gather the most.
According to the data obtained from the counts and observations conducted by the teams of the 8th Regional Directorate of DKMP at 8 wetlands, approximately half of the bird species migrating through Turkey are observed in the wetlands of Konya.
The counts are conducted during the period of lowest migratory activity.
Orhan Çatalçam, the Director of the 8th Regional Directorate of DKMP, stated that the counts are carried out with the participation of the Directorate's staff and bird experts to protect wildlife and wetlands in the country.
He mentioned that the counts are done in January and February, when migratory activity is at its lowest. "Wetlands are currently among the most endangered areas in the world. To protect the waterfowl in these wetlands, we determine how many there are and where the populations are concentrated," said Çatalçam.
Çatalçam stated, "Some of the migratory birds choose our country as their breeding grounds, while others come here to spend the winter. So far, around 490 bird species have been identified in our country. Of these, 292 have been observed in Konya. That means nearly half of them pass through Konya. Last year, approximately 300,000 birds from 42 species passed through Konya. These numbers can vary from year to year. For example, while around 5-10 flamingos were seen in the Akgöl reeds last year, about 300 flamingos were observed this year. Increasing the number of wetlands is extremely important for waterfowl."