Black-necked Grebes Captivate Visitors in Konya

In Beysehir, the Black-necked grebes incubating on the water surface of the historic Taşköprü bridge in the lake and the geese that nested inside the regulator in the BSA canal have become the center of attention for those who see them.

Beysehir district of Konya, which has a coastline to Beysehir Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Turkey, has become the center of attention for those who see the Black-necked grebes incubating on the water surface of the historic Taşköprü bridge in the lake, and the geese that have nested inside the regulator in the BSA canal.

It is notable that the Black-necked Grebe family, which has built their nest with the grass they carried in front of the regulator gates at the Köprübaşı location, is making a great effort to protect their new offspring that will hatch from their eggs soon. Another Black-necked Grebe family has built their nest right next to the fishing boat due to the absence of motor noise, as there is a ban on fishing in the lake's coastal waters.

On the other hand, there are 2 geese nesting inside the regulator on the BSA canal side of the Taşköprü bridge. Due to the lack of water flow from the lake to the canal, numerous geese and ducks, which feed and transform the canal into their habitat, can also be seen. Citizens are trying to feed the geese and ducks by throwing bread crumbs from the bridge.

Bekir Sami Tan, the president of the Beysehir Union for Lake, Environment and Nature Conservation, stated that the Black-necked grebes, which live in Beysehir Lake, are incubating in the nests they have built on the lake shores during the breeding season, and some have also built nests in front of the tranquil Taşköprü bridge due to the fishing ban. He also mentioned that there are millions of young fish under the algae and grass that accumulate in front of the Taşköprü bridge.