Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Balýkdamý is one of the few remaining wetlands on the Sakarya river, elsewhere flood-plain and marsh habitats have been reclaimed for agricultural use. The eastern part of the IBA comprises 503 ha of reedbed (
Phragmites), open water and mudflats. The western part consists of extensive areas of marsh and grassland. Human activities include cereal production and extensive stock-grazing.
The IBA is important for breeding raptors and herons (Ardeidae) and as a stop-over site for passage
Ciconia ciconia and waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Phalacrocorax pygmeus (thought to breed).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
DSÝ plans to irrigate the upper reaches of the Sakarya river, a project that will involve the reclamation of the entire western part of the IBA. A permanent lake of c.500 ha will also be created in the eastern part of the IBA, resulting in the loss of virtually all the ecologically important marsh and mudflat areas.
National High
International None1,470 ha of IBA covered by Permanent Wildlife Reserve (Balýkdamý, 1,470 ha). 1,470 ha of IBA covered by SÝT (Balýkdamý, 1,470 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Balıkdamı (Türkiye). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/balıkdamı-iba-türkiye on 23/12/2024.
