Sultan Reeds

Sultan Reeds is a wetland 70 km south of Kayseri, covering an area of 8-13 hectares depending on the seasons. It is within the Develi-Yeşilhisar-Yahyalı triangle. To the north is Erciyes, the highest volcanic mountain of the region. A large fresh water swamp is formed at the foot of the mountain. Most of it is covered with reeds. There are reed, head grass and kındıra in places. Water lilies and irises are seen in clear weather. There are too many floating reed islets to be seen towards the center of the area. They are displaced by strong winds and lowered by low tide. This freshwater complex is separated in the south and north by Lake Yay, a salty lake. In the north-west corner is Lake Desert, connected to this lake.

This lake contains a lot of salt, its depth does not exceed a few decimeters. There are no plants around it and it dries up in summer. Sultan Sazlığı is one of the most important wetlands of our country due to its rich biodiversity and the intersection of two main bird migration routes used by migratory birds between Africa and Europe. It is the feeding, sheltering and incubation area for 301 bird species.