Çakalburnu Lagünü

About Çakalburnu Lagünü

Çakalburnu Lagünü (Çakalburnu Lagoon), also known as Çakalburnu Dalyanı, is a small coastal wetland on the southern shore of the Gulf of İzmir, in Balçova's Bahçelerarası neighbourhood just west of İnciraltı Urban Forest. Visit İzmir, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's tourism portal, describes it as an important wetland where the traditional lagoon fishing (dalyancılık) of the Mediterranean basin was once practised. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change has declared it a sensitive area under strict protection. Its rich fish stocks make it a key feeding and resting place for many bird species, and a vital stopover during migration. The İzmir Bird Paradise Protection Union (İZKUŞ) calls it one of the most beautiful wetlands within the city and notes that it holds first degree protected site status, with around 120 bird species recorded, among them flamingo, Dalmatian pelican, great white pelican, cormorant, herons, ducks, coot, kingfisher, black-winged stilt and terns. In summer Visit İzmir lists black-winged stilt, yellow-legged gull and spur-winged lapwing as frequent sights. Visit İzmir names the İzmir Nature Conservation and National Parks branch directorate and Doğa Derneği as the bodies connected with the site. Treat it as a protected area: watch birds from the paths and keep out of the reed beds.