www.sultansazligi.com This wetland, located in the middle of the Yeşilhisar-Develi Plain and known as Sultansazlığı (Sultan Marsh), consists of a freshwater marsh covered with reeds in its southern section, the saline Lake Yay in the northern section, and the barren lands surrounding these two. Sultan Marsh is fed by streams descending from the Ala Mountains in the south as well as by springs with a high output. The Akkoy Dam has been constructed for irrigation purposes on Yeşilhisar Stream, a stream that originates in the Ala Mountains and curves down into the plain from north of Yeşilhisar Country without a well-defined bed. Dundarlı Stream, which comes in from the south and descends into the plain three km. west of the villages of Ovaçiftlik joining the marsh as a delta, A large part of these freshwater marshes is covered with reeds, and reed communities are encountered growing on the lake floor and floating on its surface as well. Among these extensive beds of reeds and cattails, several small ponds of still water of one hectare or less can be seen. Several species of the underwater plants known as Myrophyllum, a favourite food of ducks, are found in these areas of open water. Such species as Carex, Typha, Juncus and Scirpus are encountered in the north section of Sultan Marsh and Sazdamları marsh north of Lake Yay. Such salt-resistant species as Salicornia are found in the barren areas surrounding the marshes and the lake, while steppe vegetation such as Depioioum, Limmonium, Astragallus and Cynodon are found in the less salty areas. Freshwater tortoises, water snakes, green frogs, water frogs, and night frogs are encountered in the freshwater marshes and reedbeds, and small fish of the family Cyprinidae are found at the outlets of Soysallı spring and the mouths of Yahyalı and Dundarlı streams. Among mammals, the Shrew (Neomys anomalus) is found in the reedbeds. Ornithological Importance Sultan Marsh is one of the largest and most important wetlands in Turkey as well as in the Middle East and Europe. The number of species of birds, both predators and warblers, that visit, winter or breed in this area and its environs, where fresh and saltwater ecosystems are found side by side, is around 250, with extremely high number of certain bird communities during the migration season. Population of Flamingo reach 50.000, Shelduck 10.000 and ducks of various species 600.000. Another salient feature of the area is its importance as the southernmost breeding ground in the Western Palaearctic Region for several species of birds. Pintail Duck, Teal, Tufted Duck and Blackheaded Gull may be cited as examples. The wealth and composition of species, the large populations afforded refuge, the number of varied habitats found side by side and the existing flora and fauna make this a high class a wetland by international standards. Main Breeding Species: Flamingo, Spoonbill, White Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Cattle Egret, Squacco Heron, Night Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Redthroated Diver, Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Stork, Greyleg Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal Mallard, Pintail Duck, Garganey, Red-crested Pochard, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Waterhen, Little Crake, Corn Crake, Moorhen, Coot, Crane, Oyster Catcher, Stilt, Avocet, Stone Curlew, Pratincole, Woodcock, Redshank, Blackheaded Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Common Tern, Whiskered Tern, Least Tern, White-winged Black Tern and, in the barren areas, Sandgrouse. Visitors and Wintering Species: Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Bittern, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Black Stock, Flamingo, Mute Swan, Greyleg Goose, White-fronted Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail Duck, Garganey, Shoveler, Marbled Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, Smew, Stiff-tailed Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Dotterel, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Green Plover, Spurwing Plover, Ruff, Godwit, Curlew, Sandpipers, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Lesser Blackbacked Gull and Herring Gull.

• published: 22 Jun 2014
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