In 1938 the Kuş Cenneti (Turkish for "Bird Paradise") nature reserve was set up by the German zoologist and hydrologist Curt Kosswig who worked in Turkey from 1937–1955.

This 64 hectare sanctuary occupies a largely unspoiled area of the lakeside near Sığırcık in the northeast corner of the lake.

It has a small ornithological museum of stuffed birds in poor condition, remote-controlled viewing cameras, and an observation tower erected by the Hydrology Department of the University of Istanbul in 1952.

Important bird species include white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), plus breeding populations of the vulnerable Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus).

Due to over-fishing, disease, pollution and possibly the effects of the changing water regime, fish catches have declined drastically.