Turkey Holiday Diary 3 min read
The Manyas Bird Paradise National Park, located in the Marmara Region, within the borders of Balikesir, is a wonderful park declared as a national park in 1959. Manyas Bird Paradise Park with a surface area of 17,058 hectares was taken to the forest regime by the decision of the Council of Ministers since it was not in the forest regime, after which the national park status was granted to this area.
International Recognition
Because of the bird protection of the national park and the successful protection in the definition of the national park, the Kus cenneti National Park is the highest category of the “European Diplomacy” awarded to the natural areas which are well protected by the Council of Europe in 1975, Awarded in the year.
This recognition places Manyas among Europe’s most important wetland habitats. The park serves as a model for conservation efforts throughout the region. International birdwatching organizations regularly visit to study migration patterns.
Bird Species and Migration
Habitats of this region, especially hundreds of birds, attract many visitors. Birds passing from Anatolia to Europe pass over Bird Paradise on the migration route and stay here for a while. Thousands of birds of pelicans, herons, spoonbills, cormorants, wild excavations, wild crocodiles and other songbirds are known to be one of the most colorful squares of this region, nesting on trees and reeds.
Kus cenneti is the smallest of the national parks in our country. Despite its small size, Bird’s Nest is one of the national parks that attract the most visitors.
Over 250 bird species have been recorded in the park. Breeding colonies of Dalmatian pelicans represent a significant portion of the global population. Pygmy cormorants, night herons, and glossy ibises nest alongside more common species.
Conservation and Education
In line with the proposal of the Council of Europe, a camera system has been established to monitor waterfowl habitats from remote locations without harming birds. In addition, the Bird Watching Tower located here has been renovated and the Tahnit Museum has been reorganized and the educational function of the National Park has been increased.
Educational programs bring school groups to learn about wetland ecology. Visitor centers display information about bird species and conservation challenges. The park demonstrates how protection efforts can succeed with proper management.
Historical References
Besides, the famous Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi has the following statement about Bird Lake in his Travels “Seyahatname“: “They come from Ilyas Spring and Turkmens call it Manyas, not so deep but the water is life-giving. This lake is filled with geese, ducks, swans, bozbakkal, greenbows, sharks and other birds. Manyas Sahr tribes every night with swans, wings from the voice of the goose.”
Best Times to Visit
Manyas Bir Paradise National Park is open to all visitors every day from 09:00 to 18:00. The recommended times of visit are April, May, and June to see more species of birds here.
Spring migration brings the greatest variety of species. Breeding activity peaks in April and May. Autumn migration in September and October offers another excellent viewing period.
How to Go Manyas Bird Paradise (Kus Cenneti) National Park?
Bandirma Kus cenneti National Park, which has a very important place among the natural beauties of our country, is located on the northeast coast of Kusgolu. A 3-kilometer road deviating south from the 15th kilometer of Bandirma-Balikesir highway can be reached at Kuscenneti.
Our previous article The Kefken Beach in our article titled Beach Holidays provides information about.