Spring Migration 

Alacati lies directly on one of the many migration- routes which pass through Turkey and the adjoining countries .Birds flying north in spring from Central Africa, and beyond make their way across the Aegean to breeding grounds in Northern Europe .Some birds use the Alacati -area for a well -earned rest and recuperation and to feed on the huge supply of insects and crustaceans on the local marshlands.

One of the many long - distance raptors that visit the area are the endangered Eleonora falcon which  recent research now tells us winters as far away as Madagascar.I see this medium -sized  falcon circling above our house on a regular basis in the summer - months feeding on insects rising from the olive groves and scrub in the surrounding area. 

 The Eleonora falcon is able to postpone its breeding in late -summer to coincide with the autumn -migration of  passerines which are caught over the sea.It nests on cliff - ledges.The falcons pictured above are of the dark - morph variant.

  Another one of my favourite summer -visitors is the Spotted flycatcher.The one in the picture was ringed as far away as Estonia. Whilst making its way back South stopped -off for 3 weeks to feed in my garden,I don't think a lot of these birds have much human contact as this bird was quite tame and inquisitive and could be approached to within 5 yards.

 This very colourful bird, the European Beeater, arrives locally in May and stays throughout the summer and breeds on a local village -hillside overlooking lush farmland which enables them to hunt and feed endlessly to rear their young.

          A very noisy bird when showing off its aerobatic displays whilst feeding on the wing .