Nature / Birdwatching site
Lake Arin (Soda Lake)
Adilcevaz, Bitlis
A shallow soda lake on the northern shore of Lake Van, separated from it by a sandbar; an important site for waterbirds, especially the white-headed duck.
Safety warning
Its story
Lake Arin is a remnant of the time when Lake Van stood a few meters higher than today; it is separated from the main lake by a coastal barrier about a kilometer wide built up by waves and currents. The waters of this closed-basin lake at about 1,650 meters are alkaline (soda) because of the sodium carried by streams coming down from Süphan; because it is shallow, part of it recedes in summer. No fish live in it, but it lies on the route of migratory birds. The globally threatened white-headed duck (dikkuyruk) breeds here; species such as the gadwall, black-winged stilt, pied avocet, Eurasian spoonbill and Armenian gull (Van Gölü martısı) can also be observed. The lake can be watched with binoculars from the edge of the Adilcevaz–Erciş road; the early morning hours are the most productive time for birdwatching.
Key facts
- Best time
- Spring and autumn migrations
- Elevation
- About 1,650 m
- Getting there
- East of Adilcevaz, Adilcevaz–Erciş road
- Visit duration
- 1–2 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
Location
38.79460, 42.99360
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arin_G%C3%B6l%C3%BC | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Arin | https://goturkiye.com/bitlis/see | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/15429110