KONYA, Türkiye

Heavy rains and renewed stream inflows have partially revived Cavuscu Lake in central Türkiye’s Konya province, drawing migratory birds back to one of Central Anatolia’s key wetland stopovers after months of severe drying.

Covering about 27 square kilometers at its peak, Cavuscu Lake lies in the Ilgin district at the foothills of the Sultan Mountains and has long supported rich biodiversity.

The lake historically hosted flamingos, pelicans, herons and many other bird species, along with fish such as carp, mirror carp and freshwater mullet.

In recent years, prolonged drought and declining rainfall led to sharp water loss, and the lake fully dried up in the final months of last year, capping a decline that began about five years ago.

Following recent precipitation, roughly one-third of the lake has refilled, although water levels remain shallow.

The partial recovery has already renewed activity among migratory birds that rely on wetlands for resting and feeding during long seasonal journeys.

Bird observer Adem Akbiyik, who has monitored the lake for years, said the site remains critical despite recent losses.

“This place is a very important location for birds. They come here to rest. It is in their nature. They will fly over this lake,” he said.
Akbiyik said around 250 bird species are expected to pass through by mid-April, with thousands continuing their migration.

Türkiye sits on one of the world’s most important bird migration flyways linking Africa and Europe, with Anatolia acting as a natural land bridge. Routes funnel through areas such as the Bosphorus, Canakkale Straits and eastern valleys, allowing millions of birds — including storks, raptors, cranes, pelicans and passerines — to cross.

Wetlands such as Cavuscu Lake provide essential resting points, particularly for waterbirds and soaring species that depend on thermals and aquatic resources.

The revival comes amid broader concern over shrinking lakes across Türkiye, driven by the effects of climate change, prolonged drought, over-irrigation and water mismanagement.

The effects of climate change are considered one of the biggest threats facing humanity today, according to many studies and scientific bodies.

In recent decades, an estimated 186 of Türkiye’s roughly 240 to 250 lakes have dried up completely, with about 1.5 to 2 million hectares of wetlands lost.

Marmara Lake lost about 98% of its surface by 2021, severely affecting bird populations. Tuz Golu, once a major flamingo breeding site, has seen mass bird deaths during drought periods. Other lakes, including Iznik, Van, Meke, Burdur and Seyfe, have also faced sharp declines.

Experts warn that without improved water management, Türkiye could face severe water scarcity and desertification by 2030.

Recent heavy rains marking some of the highest precipitation in over a decade in regions like Central Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia, with January 2026 seeing record levels after years of drought have begun refilling several dried-up lakes across the country.

The partial refilling of Cavuscu Lake offers a glimmer of hope, underscoring how vital rainfall can be in easing the impacts of climate change on fragile wetland ecosystems and the migratory birds that depend on them.

As a key stopover on international migration routes between Africa and Europe, Cavuscu supports species such as flamingos, pelicans and herons, although it is not formally designated as a Ramsar site.

A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance designated under the 1971 Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran and administered by UNESCO, to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands, especially those vital for migratory waterbirds and biodiversity.

Ramsar-designated sites and non-designated wetlands like Cavuscu Lake possess comparable ecological significance for migratory birds, waterbird resting and breeding, and regional biodiversity preservation.

Writing by Selcuk Uysal