Efteni Gölü

Efteni Lake is at the junction point of an ecological network at the foot of the Elmacık Mountain range, where the stream network of the Düzce Plain converges (the waters of Aksu, Asar, Uğur, Küçük Melen and side streams) and flows into the Black Sea through the Büyük Melen channel. Efteni Lake, located within the borders of Gölyaka in Düzce, is 5 kilometers from the district center and 25 kilometers from Düzce city center.

Efteni Lake and its surroundings, with their rich vegetation and water resources, are one of the important and rare centers located on the migration route of migratory birds. In 1992, by the General Directorate of National Parks, Hunting and Wildlife Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, it was given protected status and hunting was prohibited for the purpose of preserving game and wild animals, securing the migration routes of migratory species, protecting, developing and improving their habitats, taking remedial measures, and providing shelter, nutrition and suitable living conditions.

Within the protected area, habitats with different ecological characteristics such as reed beds, open water surfaces, marshes and mudflats provide shelter for a rich animal life of various species, especially water birds. The most important fauna elements around Efteni Lake are water birds. It hosts a total of 150 bird species, 35 of which are resident. Storks, wild ducks, great crested white herons, ruddy shelducks, coots and swans are among the regulars of the lake and are among those that are easily seen.

The area, located on the migration route on the northwest-south axis (Trakya-Boğaziçi-İç Anadolu), hosts bird species that are rarely seen in Türkiye or are endangered. Efteni Lake, which is an important stopover and feeding area on the migration routes of birds, is especially a wintering area for some migratory birds living in Europe that cannot move further south in winter, and also a breeding area for some bird species. For this reason, a large number of birds of different species can be observed during the migration season. Other bird species found in the Efteni Lake protected area are; swan, crane, mezgeldek, toy, sibirya kazı, küçükkarabatak, bozördek, çıkrıkçın, kaşıkçın, which are under threat of extinction, while those under potential threat are yeşilbaş, fiyu, bekri, kılkuyruk, mazar, pasbaş, elmabaş.

There is 1 viewing terrace in the area for observing bird species. Efteni Lake, a stopover lake on the migration routes of birds, while hiding birds with its water lilies and reed beds apart from its water level, creates a composition for photography and birdwatching.

In addition to bird species, Efteni Lake also contains rare plant species. In the mountainous terrain to the south of the Efteni Lake Wildlife Protection Area, 5 different vegetation belts are encountered. In addition to water lilies, irises, buttercups, reeds, mint and duckweed; aquatic-character trees such as willow, ash, alder and plane are also among the first plants that catch the eye. Source: Düzce Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism archive

Places to Visit in Düzce Address: Cevizlik, 81800 Hamamüstü/Gölyaka/Düzce