Lake Kus
Encyclopedia
Lake Kuş or Lake Manyas ( meaning Bird Lake, or, Manyas Gölü) is a lake
in western Turkey
, located in the Bandırma
region. This is a shallow nutrient-rich freshwater lake (average depth 3 m) fed by groundwater and four streams. Small deltas have formed where the latter enter the lake, comprising extensive marshes and tree-lined riverbanks. Narrow belts of reed Phragmites fringe much of the lake. Water is abstracted for factory use and for irrigation. Cattle- and sheep-grazing is common along the lake shores.
More than 270 species of birds have been recorded at the lake. Important bird species include White-headed Duck
(Oxyura leucocephala), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Greater Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus roseus), plus breeding populations of the vulnerable Dalmatian Pelican
(Pelecanus crispus). Migrating Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) often roost at the lake.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in western Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, located in the Bandırma
Bandirma
Bandırma is a city in northwestern Turkey with 113,385 inhabitants on the Sea of Marmara. Also, Bandırma is a district of Balıkesir....
region. This is a shallow nutrient-rich freshwater lake (average depth 3 m) fed by groundwater and four streams. Small deltas have formed where the latter enter the lake, comprising extensive marshes and tree-lined riverbanks. Narrow belts of reed Phragmites fringe much of the lake. Water is abstracted for factory use and for irrigation. Cattle- and sheep-grazing is common along the lake shores.
Overview
Manyas Lake is an important site for breeding and wintering waterbirds. In 1938 the Kuş Cenneti (Turkish for "Bird Paradise") nature reserve was set up by the German hydrologist and zoologist Curt Kosswig. This 64 ha sanctuary occupies a largely unspoiled area of the lakeside near Sığırcık in the northeast corner of the lake and has a small ornithological museum of stuffed birds in poor condition, remote-controlled viewing cameras, and an observation tower erected in 1952 by the Hydrology Department of the University of Istanbul.More than 270 species of birds have been recorded at the lake. Important bird species include White-headed Duck
White-headed Duck
The White-headed Duck is a small stiff-tailed duck.Adult males have a grey and reddish body, a blue bill and a largely white head with a black cap and neck. Adult females have a grey-brown body with a white face and a darker bill, cap and a cheek stripe.This duck breeds in Spain and North Africa,...
(Oxyura leucocephala), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia , and southern Europe...
(Phoenicopterus roseus), plus breeding populations of the vulnerable Dalmatian Pelican
Dalmatian Pelican
The Dalmatian Pelican is a member of the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe to India and China in swamps and shallow lakes. The nest is a crude heap of vegetation....
(Pelecanus crispus). Migrating Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) often roost at the lake.