Batakligi / Karamik Swamps

One of the largest freshwater swamps in Turkey, covering an area of some 4,100ha/10,000 acres, is found about 20km/12mi southwest of Çay to the east of the Dinar/Karadilli road. Lying in a depression at an altitude of 1,008m/3,300ft, the surface of the swamp is almost completely covered with a carpet of reeds. Water-lilies grow where there is open water and myriads of frogs provide the staple diet for numerous herons and storks. Birds of prey are much in evidence, as are other water fowl including ducks (white-eyed pochard and white-headed duck), mute swans and ruddy shelduck (which latter breed in the Sultan Daglari).