Flamingos begin arriving in Turkey's Lake Tuz to nest 'in larger numbers than last year'

Photos: AA

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Flamingos have started to come to Lake Tuz, a hypersaline lake in central Turkey. After spending almost half of the year there, they will set off for warmer regions.

The number of flamingos coming to the country is even higher compared to last year, according to Prof. Mustafa Cemal Darılmaz, the dean of the Aksaray University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

"Last year, we had a high number of flamingos. This year, we have even more. Lake Tuz is the only natural nesting ground for flamingos in Turkey and has a very special habitat and ecosystem," he told Anadolu Agency (AA).

"They make their nests in Lake Tuz. These nests are at a height of 50 centimeters above the water. Chiclets learn to fly within three months after hatching. After the weather gets colder, they head towards warmer countries."

Darılmaz noted that the surface area of Lake Tuz has expanded due to the high rainfall this year.

"Flamingo nests need to be in water or in places with access to water until at least July because the chiclets can't fly and are in need of care. Therefore, flamingos that nest further out may have problems reaching food after rapid water withdrawal.

"If nests are made in places where water evaporates rapidly or that are submerged in water, chiclets lose their lives. This risk has been there every year, and it continues this year as well."

Last year, hundreds of baby flamingos died in the drying parts of the lake.

The main source of water for the lake is rain and snow and water brought from other places negatively affects living beings in the lake, the professor added. (KU/APK/VK)