Sultan Sazlığı Sultan's Marsh Bird Paradise, Turkey

The Sultan Sazlığı Reedfield

The reedfield Sultan Sazlığı is located at the lowest part of the Develi plain which is to the south-west of Mt. Erciyes. It is in the triangle of Develi - Yeşilhisar and Yahyalı.

This reedfield, which 70 km from Kayseri, has been taken under protection with the International Ramsar Treaty.

The lakes Yay, Camız, Söbe and Çöl exit at the lowest section of Develi plain. In the broadest sense of the word, all these lakes - or in other words, the area to the south of the road connecting Develi to the Niğde - Kayseri highway, except for the lake Yay, is called Sultan Sazlığı. The marshy places and lakes making up Sultan Sazlığı become smaller in the dry season and larger in the rainy season. These lakes are fed by the waters coming down Mt. Erciyes and Mid-Taurus Mountains.

Sultan Sazlığı, which covers an area of 17.200 hectare, constitutes a world-famous ecosystem.

There are hardly noticeable small reed islets floating towards the center of the reedfield.

Both fresh and salty water ecosystems coexist in this area which was taken under protection in 1988.

Providing shelter for 301 bird species, Sultan Sazlığı is the second major bird paradise in Turkey, after the lake Manyas. An observation tower and a breeding station have been set up so that the migration route of birds and their living environments can be studied.

Being on the migration route of birds because of its flora and fauna, Sultan Sazlığı is beginning to contribute more and more to tourism with appropriate attempts and research.