Sister of the Van Sea, Erçek Lake Bird Paradise is an embankment lake formed in the east of the Van Sea. Its deepest point is 40 meters, with an average depth of 18,45 meters. Half of the 453 bird species in Turkey continue to exist in the Basin of Lake Erçek. Lake Erçek is a rich natural environment where dozens of bird species such as Avocet, Greater Sand Plover, Black-Necked Grebe, Ruddy Shelduck, Flamingo, Marbled Teal and Van Seagull are sheltered. It is home to one of the largest flamingo shelter areas in the world. About 1/3 of all wetlands in Turkey are comprised of the Van Sea Basin and Lake Erçek.
