Doğal Alanlar

Hazırlayanlar: Simge Akkaş, Yağmur Saygılı ve Elif Yazıcı Gümüşbıçak
Fotoğraflar: Doğa Koruma ve Milli Parklar Genel Müdürlüğü Fotoğraf Arşivi

Karasal iklime sahip ve bozkırlarla çevrili Ankara’da yaban hayatının sönük olduğu düşünülse de gerçek böyle değil. Ankara ve çevresi, doğaseverlerin yakından görmesi gereken, Önemli Doğa Alanı olduğu belirlenen, hassas ve benzersiz birçok doğal alana ev sahipliği yapıyor.

Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary

Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary is a seasonal lake, located within the Sarıyar Dam Key Biodiversity Area. It is one of the most important places around Ankara for bird watching and an important breeding, migration and wintering area. In winter, a large number of geese, ducks and pochard shelter here, while this place also serves as a very important shelter for swans. Among the species incubating in the region are the egyptian vulture, lanner falcon, black kite, gökdoğan, little egret, night heron and gray heron. The last four species listed are incubating here in the same colony. The white-tailed eagle is regularly seen here and probably breeds in the area. The area is also a stopover point for migrating storks and ruddy shelduck. You can see all birds observed in Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary through this catalog.

Lake Eymir and Lake Mogan

Lake Eymir and Lake Mogan are located in the south of Ankara, in an area once a river valley. Over time, Lake Mogan and Lake Eymir, fed by the alluvium carried by the streams, were formed. Previously a barren area, Eymir was given to the Middle East Technical University after 1956 and afforested with the efforts of the university. In Eymir, you can enjoy a meal with a view of the lake in one of the few restaurants, do water sports, take nature walks, and cycle. It is also a popular spot for nature photography.

There are picnic areas, jogging paths and sports facilities around Lake Mogan. The basin, which includes two lakes, is an important breeding and accommodation area for many birds, heron and duck species. There are around 200-300 small wind hovers and many white-headed ducks living here.

Salt Lake

Located at the intersection of Ankara, Konya and Aksaray, 130 km from Ankara city center, Lake Tuz is the last remnant of an inland sea that broke off from the Tethys Sea that covered Anatolia millions of years ago. It is the largest saltwater lake in Europe and the second largest lake in Türkiye. With its vast and ethereal appearance, Lake Tuz is a very popular place for nature lovers and photographers as well as a very important nesting area for rare bird species. Here, you can see flamingos that settle one of the largest natural breeding colonies in the world. Lake Van Gull, slender-billed gull and some birds of prey also breed here. The lake is also home to the only population of common snipe in Türkiye. Thousands of cranes stay here in the fall and many geese in winter. Also, the steppes around the lake are an important habitat for the endangered great bustards in Central Anatolia.

Kızılcahamam Forests

Kızılcahamam Forests Key Biodiversity Area includes Soğuksu National Park and hot spring facilities. Kızılcahamam Forests are an important region for birds and butterflies. Many forest birds breed here. Important species include black vulture, cinereous vulture, bearded vulture, egyptian vulture and black stork. There are many stork nests at the entrance of Kızılcahamam district. The priority butterfly species in the area is the Anatolian Chalk-hill Blue, which is endemic to Türkiye. False apollo, Anatolian skipper and bavius are among the regionally endangered butterfly species.

Kirmir and İnözü Valleys

Located 3 km from Beypazarı, one of the neighboring districts of Ankara, the Kirmir and Inözü Valleys are important homes for many species with their warmer and more humid conditions compared to their surroundings. The steep cliffs in the valley allow different species, especially birds, to live here. Tombs and churches on the rock walls in the İnözü Valley attract attention as cultural heritage. These areas are protected as archaeological and natural sites. The Kirmir and İnözü Valleys are also one of the last areas where herds of chamal, known as Ankara goats, are common.

Lake Çöl

Lake Çöl (Desert), a brackish water lake located 80 km from Ankara city center, between Haymana and Balâ districts, is of great importance especially for birds in spring and summer. This lake is a breeding ground for many bird species and a wintering place for some birds such as flamingos and white-footed geese. Birds such as white-headed duck and ruddy shelduck make great use of this lake in the years when the water level is high. In recent years, the water level of the lake has been declining and unfortunately some species are known to have disappeared from the region. The lake is also home to endangered butterfly species such as the lulworth skipper.

Kazan Hills

The hilly region between the Kazan and Çubuk districts of Ankara is now under threat of extinction due to extensive urbanization, logging and grazing. Although there are patches of larch communities in the area, it is covered with mountain steppes and scrub-like oak communities. This region is very important for butterflies such as the steppe fritillary, false apollo and the Anatolian vernal copper.

Ayaş Mountains

Ayaş Mountains, one of the protected mountain steppes around Ankara, is especially important for birds and rare plants. The mountains are covered with steppe and downy oak communities. Many species live here, such as the tawny pipit, long-legged buzzard, syrian woodpecker, ortolan bunting, lesser grey shrike, egyptian vulture, green-underside blue, poseidon blue, lesser chequered blue and anatolian vernal copper. Ayaş district center is also located within the Ayaş Mountains Key Biodiversity Area. Ayaş is famous for its cherry and tomato gardens. We recommend you taste these flavors during your visit.