x0x Where the firebird beats its wings Homa Lagoon

x0x Where the firebird beats its wings Homa Lagoon

By Alpay Tiril

Close to the city of Izmir on the Aegean is a natural
paradise for wildlife, the Gediz Delta. The mudflats,
salt marshes, reed beds, lagoons, salt pans, shallows,
hills and farmland of the delta are home to a great
diversity of living creatures. Around 230 species of
birds, mammals, reptiles and fish, not to mention
plants and insects make their home here. Homa Lagoon is
one of the most important parts of the delta in terms
of biological diversity. The lagoon adjoins the Çamalti
Salt Pan and is divided from the sea by a narrow bank
of alluvium carried down by the River Gediz. Flamingos
come to breed in this shallow still expanse of water.
The name of the flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) comes
from the Portuguese flamengo, meaning firebird, and its
colours indeed justify this name, with its long slender
red legs, red beak and red wings; and white or pink
head, neck and body; and black plumage beneath the
wings visible only when it is in flight. The flamingo
feeds mainly on artemia (Artemia salina) a marine
invertebrate which increases the pink colour of the
flamingses plumage.

Although they live in salt water, flamingos drink fresh
water. When the breeding season begins the flamingos
begin to perform their mating dance. Couples which
intend to mate stretch out their graceful necks and
circle around one another in a dance of extraordinary
beauty which is said to have inspired flamenco dancing.
Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus), an endangered
species throughout the world, are also among the
visitors to Homa Lagoon. With a wingspan of over three
metres these are among the largest seabirds in
existence. For these pelicans with their orange pouches
and off-white plumage the muddy islets of the lagoon
are of special significance, because it is here that
they breed, safe from interference by humans and
animals. Another bird that comes to these islets to
breed is the sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis), whose
only breeding ground in Turkey is the Gediz Delta. The
spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is another species to
be seen in the lagoon, which is home to a large colony
of these beautiful birds.

Smaller coastal birds can also be seen here in
abundance, such as the Kentish plover (Charadrius
alexandrinus), the dunlin (Calidris alpina) and the
curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea). The Homa Lagoon
is managed by the Fishery Products Faculty of Ege
University, which conducts research and training
activities here as well as fish farming. The European
pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) the round sardinella
(Sardinella aurita), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus),
silverside (Atherina boyeri), sea bass Dicentrarchus
labrax and flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) are just
some of the fish species found here, and in the open
sea beyond the lagoon fishermen hunt the many
octopuses. Üçtepe, the so-called Three Hills, on the
shore of Homa Lagoon were an island in antiquity, but
as a result of silt brought down by the river became a
part of the mainland around 2000 years ago. The hill
known as Lodos Tepe rising from the shore is the best
vantage point for a bird's eye view of the lagoon, the
Gediz Delta, Izmir, the Karaburun Peninsular, and above
all, the sunset.

The Roman ruins of Leukai, which was inhabited through
into Byzantine times, sprawl across the three hills,
and fragments of ancient tiles and pottery can be found
here. Homa Lagoon has been listed under the provisions
of the international Ramsar Convention for the
protection of the habitats of water birds by the
Ministry of the Environment, and designated a nature
reserve by the Ministry of Culture. Furthermore it is
recognised as a game preserve by the Ministry of
Forests, while the ruins of Leukai are an
archaeological preservation site. There is a visitors
centre at the delta where further information is
available.  Boat tours to the Homa Lagoon start out
from here, and this is the perfect way to enjoy a view
of the open sea on the one hand and the brilliantly
coloured flocks of flamingos on the other, and to
stroll along a sand beach strewn with sea shells. In
March and April the white and purple blossoms of
three-horned stock (Matthiola tricuspidata) bedeck the
coast.

Walking tours take visitors to Lodos Tepe to look out
over the lagoon, and if you take binoculars you can
watch the many birds of the area.  Homa Lagoon, with
its beautiful scenery, wildlife and ancient ruins is
the perfect place to enjoy unspoiled nature within easy
reach of the city of Izmir. If you end your visit on
Lodos Tepe, time and space will dissolve into the sense
of tranquillity that all we city dwellers need as you
gaze upon the spectacular sunset.

* Alpay Tiril is a member of the Aegean Wildlife
Conservation Society