Dalaman Reed Beds

Paul Hope’s book ‘Walking and Bird Watching in Southwest Turkey’, suggest this as a site to bird watch . From Dalyan head towards Ortaca and once in Ortaca follow the airport signs .

As you leave on the road to Dalaman Airport you should pass the Hotel Dalaman Park on the right hand side of the road and a little further on a sign for a hospital on your left (2011) . As you carry on there is a Petrol station on the left hand side and it is after this that you should see the sign for KapIkargIn and Sarasala Koyu , turn left here (in front of the sign) and follow the road.

You will eventually come to the village of Sarasala, there is a Mosque on the left hand side and a shop on the right, pictured below, carry straight on. The state of the road rapidly deteriorates but is easily passable, shortly after the village find a place to park.

Once parked follow the track/road up to electricity pylon as described in Paul Hopes book. Here you get good views over the reed beds and the small Alagol lake (see below)

Above small lake and below the reed beds with small lake on the right of the photo

Continue up the road before bearing right down the first proper track just before a house. follow the track which goes straight on up the hill before leveling out into an olive grove meadow or veer right into the woods, both appear idyllic for birds.

Above the Olive Grove and below looking back from the Olive grove down the hill leading back to the road.

Once back on the road you can return to Sarasala or you can carry on walking/driving along the road which eventually leads down to a small bay. Below the larger lake seen from the road which leads down to the bay.