Gull

There are nearly 1.4 million water birds from 104 species in 135 wetland areas across Türkiye, according to a report issued by the country's Agriculture and Forestry Ministry.

The number was more than 2.3 million in 2020 and 1.7 million in 2021.

Istanbul, a Turkish metropolis with nearly 16 million population, has been hosting countless numbers of birds, in particular water birds such as herons and cormorants, however, over a dozen of seagull species are leading with their population size in the city surrounded by seas.

Flocks of dead seagulls have been found scattered around Lake Van in Turkey's east.
The incident recently came to light after several residents contacted officials about seeing the dead and dying birds around the lake.
Residents in the area have been demanding that authorities look deeper into the collective deaths, which happen on an annual basis.

As many as 170 species of birds have been observed so far in the Vacaresti Natural Park (PNV), with the lesser black-backed gull being the latest to be spotted there. "We have just reached 170 species of birds observed in the park.

Birdwatchers wanting to photograph the glaucous gull have been flocking to the Black Sea province of Rize, as the species has not been seen in Turkey for 140 years.

Photographer Murat Saltık, who spotted the reappearance of the glaucous gull, said he had been birdwatching for years without noticing its difference with the other species.