Wildlife Observation

Turkey has been declared among the 100 most important regions in the world for wild birds by Birdlife International. The country’s geological formation, varying climates and large differences in altitude results in more than 31 inches of annual rainfall on the Northern Black Sea coast. The Coruh River and its surrounding narrow rocky valley is rich with plant and animal life.

There are approximately 160 endemic and 2500 vascular plants in this area. The region is also home to large mammals such as hook-horned chamois, mountain goat, wolf, wildcat, brown bear and bobcat. You can also spot many reptiles and amphibians. At least three types of viper snakes live in the region, including the Caucus Viper which is endemic and lives in the Coruh Valley. All sorts of birds and butterflies can be found in the this region, including endemic birds such as: Caucus Partridge, Mountain RoosterBirch, Bee Falcon, Black Kite, Falcon, Bearded vulture, Rock Eagle, Forest Eagle Scarlet Hawk, Bearded Hawk and much more. The ecosystem supports many other types of birds, too.

Wildlife Observation Tours are generally 10 days in length and encompass Trabzon, Soğanli Mountains, Kackar Mountains, Vercenik and Tatos Mountains, Firftina Valley, Macahel VAlley, Bathal Valley, Kilickaya Mountain,Coruh Valley and Rize and Artvin Yaylas (plateaus). The expedition is organized as a hiking tour with hotels in Trabzon and Rize. The ideal time to see the wildlife is from May to October.

Two days in Istanbul or three to four days in the Marmara region can be added to this adventure to observe water birds.