Manyas Lake

Lake Kuş (in Turkish Kuş Gölü, lit. “Bird Lake”) or Lake Manyas is located in the Bandırma District of Balıkesir. It is a large and shallow freshwater lake south of the Marmara Sea. It reaches a depth of four meters, but its average depth is three meters. Willow trees, reeds, and meadows abound along the lake's shores. Lake Manyas is an important site for breeding and wintering waterbirds and the Manyas Bird Sanctuary National Park has been established here. Its dense and diverse vegetation, especially its habitats, which house hundreds of birds, attract many visitors. More than 270 bird species have been recorded here including the great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), little egret (Egretta garzetta), night heron, and tern. The museum and observation tower located in the national park, from where you can enjoy birdwatching, are of great interest to visitors. A Tourism Festival is held every year in the first week of June to celebrate the region's importance as a tourist destination and to draw attention to environmental pollution. Events such as panels, exhibitions, theater plays, folk dances, performances, and festival runs are held at the festival.