Diaz-Portero, M.A ; Ramos, J.J. ; Paz de la Rocha, J.L. ; Jodar, P.A. ; Alvarez, B. ; Mancera, J.A. ; Delgado, G. & Lopez Rondon, J. 2009. Observations of Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae at Oukaimeden (High Atlas, Morocco). Go-South Bull. 6 : 128-129.

27 October 2009

A new paper is available in Go-South Bulletin:

Hanane, S. 2009. Variabilité spatio-temporelle des âges ratios chez la Tourterelle des bois Streptopelia turtur dans les plaines du Souss et du Tadla (Maroc). Go-South Bull. 6 : 124-127.

25 October 2009

Early October records from NW Morocco have included:

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris. On 4/10, two were swimming at Oued Loukkos. On 4/10, 300 were counted at Sidi Bou Rhaba. On 10/10, we watched a total of at least 120 at Oued Massa.
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. On 4/10, 30 were swimming in the Oued Loukkos marshes and at least 10 at Merja Zerga. At Sidi Bou Rhaba, 20 were noted on 2/10 and four on 4/10.
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. On 4/10, we counted 10 at Sidi Bou Rhaba. On 10/10, a flock of seven was seen at Oued Massa.
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. On 4/10, a flock of seven was seen at Sidi Bou Rhaba, only one of which had a largely white head.
Scopoli’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea. On 6/10, a raft of 30 was swimming in a mixed flock with more than 20 Balearic Shearwaters off Skhirat (possibly, Cory’s were present in this flock too). On 9/10, at least one was identified from a photograph at Oued Tamri, together with at least one Cory’s Shearwater and many unidentified Calonectris.
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus. Off Skhirat, at least 20 were present on 6/10 (swimming in a mixed flock with c 30 Scopoli’s Shearwaters) and four were seen on 7/10.
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus. On 6/10, two were flying south past Skhirat.
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. On 4/10, a staggering total of more than 2000 was seen at Oued Loukkos. On 10/10, more than 100 were foraging at Oued Massa. Several individuals at both sites wore pale yellow rings indicating an origin from Andalucia , Spain ; an individual photographed at Oued Massa wore a ring with inscription 7L5 and appeared to be ringed on Lucio Cerrado Garrido (FAO) Sevilla as a chick on 7 June 2006 (Jordi Figuerola and Manuel J Sanchez Rodriguez in litt).
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia. On 10/10, we counted up to 300 roosting along Oued Massa when a flock of c 300 flew over, after which all c 600 started to circle higher and higher before flying off southward. As to be expected, quite a few had Dutch colour-rings.
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni. On 6/10, three males and two females were feeding and roosting east of Skhirat.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos. On 8/10, two juveniles flew over the high valley of Oukaimeden , beyond the ski lift.
African Royal Tern Sterna maxima albididorsalis. On 6/10, an adult and a begging young were sound-recorded at Skhirat.
Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon. On 3/10 and 4/10, two came close in the reeds of Oued Loukkos.
Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus. On 8/10, a few yellowish though not-calling chiffchaffs at Oukaimeden were tentatively identified as Iberian.
Common Rock-thrush Monticola saxatilis. On 8/10, one was present below the radio tower at Oukaimeden.

La migration automnale a déjà largement commencé fin août à Melilla : 12 Ardea cinerea et 5 Oenanthe oenanthe accostant en provenance du nord le 26 août, arrivée nocturne de migrateurs le 28 août (dont 30+ Erithacus rubecula dans les jardins), 17 Ardea cinerea, 3 Coracias garrulus et 400+ Hirundo rustica arrivant le 31 août.
Petits mouvements vers le sud-est : 2 Haematopus ostralegus, 6 Arenaria interpres, 6 Sterna sandvicensis, 2 Sterna hirundo le 31 août ; 1 Sterna bengalensis, 3 Sterna sandvicensis, 2 Monticola solitarus le 2 septembre ; un Alcedo atthis le 5 septembre.
Les arrivées d’Ardea cinerea se poursuivent jusqu’à mi septembre au moins (12 arrivant le 2 septembre, un le 5 et 16 le 14 septembre) ; sont également notés arrivant à la côte Nycticorax nycticorax (3 le 7 septembre), Coturnix coturnix (une le 7 septembre), Pernis apivorus (8 le 14 septembre), Circus aeruginosus (11 le 14 septembre), Calidris alpina (17 le 14 septembre), Circus aeruginosus (15 le 17 septembre) et Motacilla alba (26 le 17 septembre).
Comptages lors de la journée RAM du 5 septembre (7h30 – 10h30) : 405 Puffinus mauretanicus, 1010 Calonectris diomedea, un Phoenicopterus roseus et 21 Aythya ferina.
Autres observations : un Larus michahellis capturant une Hirundo rustica en vol le 27 août, un Falco peregrinus adulte attaquant un Calonectris diomedea le 31 août (D. Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar).

15 September 2009

Todor signale (avec photos à l’appui) une Aigrette des récifs en phase sombre à Essaouira début septembre, là même où il en avait vu une l’année dernière le 18 avril. Belles photos de Faucons d’Eléonore à l’embouchure de l’Oued Ksob (T. Todorov).

11 September 2009

Journées RAM à Melilla : le 6 juin, 54 Puffinus mauretanicus, 389 Calonectris diomedea, 7 Morus bassanus, 24 Pernis apivorus en vol NW, 2 Circus aeruginosus, un Stercorarius sp, 85 Larus audouinii, 11 Sterna sandvicensis, 8 Sternula albifrons, 2 Chlidonias Niger et 1 Chlidonias hybrida. Le 4 juillet de 7h30 à 10h30 : 25 Puffinus mauretanicus, 302 Calonectris diomedea, une Egretta garzetta, un Pandion haliaetus, 95 Larus audouinii, 2 Larus ridibundus et 9 Sterna sandvicensis. Le 1 août de 7h30 à 10h30 : 40 Puffinus mauretanicus, 549 Calonectris diomedea, 2 Aquila pennata, 3 Actitis hypoleucos, 60 Larus audouinii, 4 Larus ridibundus, 2 Sterna bengalensis et 20 Sterna sandvicensis.
Colonie de Falco naumanni de Melilla : 8 nids occupés (16 jeunes de taille moyenne) le 18 juin, premiers vols des jeunes le 25 juin, colonie désertée (21 poussins envolés) le 16 juillet.
A Melilla, 15+ Hippolais polyglota et 5 Erithacus rubecula dans les parc publics le 19 juin, un couple de Falco tinnunculus avec 4 jeunes à peine volant le 25 juin, premier Anthus pratensis migrateur postnuptial le 1 juillet, une femelle Accipiter nisus adulte capturant un Pinson le 2 juillet, un couple de Cyanistes teneriffae ultramarinus avec 4 gros jeunes le 3 juillet, 2 Actitis hypoleucos le 15 juillet. Un couple d’Aquila pennata suivi d’un jeune le 26 juin au Jbel Gourougou (D. Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar).

9 September 2009

A new paper is available in Go-South Bulletin:

Thévenot, M. & Bergier, P. 2009. Éléments de bibliographie ornithologique marocaine – 5. Go-South Bull. 6 : 113-123.

A new paper is available in Go-South Bulletin:

Zadane, Y. ; Qninba, A. ; Ibn Tattou, M. & Bergier, P. 2009. La daya de Ténouchad, un site de reproduction des Anatidés dans le Parc National de Khnifiss. Go-South Bull. 6 : 107-112.

4 July 2009

Données de reproduction à Douyiet le 26 juin : La reproduction des Érismatures à tête blanche se poursuit avec succès (30 ex. min. dont 18 mâles adultes et 10 femelles adultes, 1 femelle accompagnée d’1 jeune de taille moyenne, et 1 gros poussin se déplaçant seul), de même que celle des Fuligules milouins (au moins 230 ex. dont 2 femelles suivies chacune de 2 jeunes, 1 femelle suivie de 4 jeunes et 1 femelle suivie de 9 jeunes).
Egalement 75 Grèbes castagneurx (dont 2 ou 3 chanteurs, 1 couple accompagné de 3 jeunes et 2 adultes accompagnés chacun de 2 jeunes), 15 Nettes rousses (dont une femelle suivie de 4 poussins), une dizaine de Gallinules Poule-d’eau (dont un adulte suivi de 3 jeunes), 350+ Foulques macroules (dont un adulte suivi de 2 jeunes et plusieurs autres gros jeunes isolés), 140 Echasses blanches (dont quelques adultes encore en position de couveurs et au moins une dizaine de jeunes, dont certains très petits venant d’éclore), une famille de Petits Gravelots suivis de 3 jeunes volant.
Cas préoccupants de botulisme observés chez les Foulques des deux espèces et chez le Canard colvert (J. Franchimont & F. Touati Malih).

25 June 2009

Disgraceful birders – Plea to help protection of Northern Bald Ibis, Morocco. I want to thank the 95+% of birders and bird tour leaders who visit southern Morocco each year and respect the importance of the last colony of the Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis, by searching for the birds away from the main breeding colony at Tamri. I am very much aware how much all visiting birders want to see Northern Bald Ibis when visiting the area, and realise it can be frustrating if the birds are not in the feeding areas exactly when arriving at the site, especially as visitors itineraries are often tightly packed. The Souss-Massa National Park, with support from SEO/BirdLife (and RSPB to a lesser extent now than previously) are working hard on ways to improve on and develop birding visits in a way that ultimately benefit the local communities, so they have a genuine interest and pride in protecting the birds that are found only in their area.
I know first hand just how delicate this process is, with local attitudes to outsiders and tourists being very varied, and some earlier efforts to protect roost and breeding sites have resulted in locals actually deliberately disturbing roosting birds through jealousy or suspicion, even when the majority of local residents were fully supportive of such efforts. The National Park and SEO/BirdLife have been making wonderful progress with compatible development initiatives that are benefiting the local community, and gaining their confidence and trust – but this takes time. One potential that is regularly discussed is how to coordinate birders visits in ways that benefit local people (not just benefiting an outside agent from abroad or elsewhere in Morocco), and in a way that does not require huge resources to manage further down the line.
So it is very disturbing when a minority of irresponsible visitors such as a recent group in early May (who we know from wardens records that the leader has previously ignored the well known request among all birders to avoid the colony), continue to approach the colony itself. This is particularly disappointing and embarrassing to the responsible birding community. The wardens are locally appointed and trained (one key tangible benefit of the ibis to the village communities closest to the colonies and roosts, and one which indirectly links and informs the locals of the importance of the ibis), and their priority role is to keep all visitors away from the site as well as systematically monitoring the breeding birds. This recent birding party of birders from England refused to accept the wardens request to leave and became abusive before photographing the birds anyway. Through their attitude they appear to condone others in approaching and jeopardising the largest remaining colony of this species in the world.
As explained on the ABC website, http://www.africanbirdclub.org/countries/Morocco/hotspots.html the breeding sites simply can not handle visiting birders at this stage, not so much because of direct disturbance to the birds, but (and this is the part that seems hardest to explain) because any increase in visits by foreigners would very quickly attract many local boys in particular who would remain at the site all day hoping to interact etc. and this would quickly become impossible to control.
The above-mentioned group is not the only one to ignore the requests not to visit the colonies, there are others who seem to think they can ignore these codes of conduct, in some cases because they support an organisation that helps to fund the work! There are known individuals also from Holland, France, Spain, Belgium and Morocco who have made recent and in some cases repeated approaches. This makes the task of those local wardens and the National Park (who are doing a tremendous job with limited resources) a lot harder than it needs to be, and undermines the morale of the wardening team. Developing a birding circuit to more actively show the ibis to visitors, and channel the benefits of bird tourism to local communities is something the park plans to trial in the near future. However, this does not come without considerable challenges and risks, ultimately for the birds – particularly as not all birders are as responsible as we’d like, and with the added potential for cultural misunderstandings.
Finally, to reiterate the thanks to the vast majority of birders who responsibly manage to see the ibis (often seeing them very well and in good numbers), in the areas away from the colonies, recommended on the ABC website. By using for example the Tamri cafes/eating places, telling local people why you are there and how good it is that they still have ibis is something very positive that all visitors can do. I know some groups have started doing this on a regular basis, and this has been very positive all round.
Given half a day in the Tamri area, very few such visitors go away disappointed, which cant be bad for one of the rarest species in the world? (Chris Bowden, RSPB).

20 June 2009

Le rapport d’observation d’Eric (NOF) est disponible sur la page dédiée (E. Roualet & NOF).

20 June 2009

Le 17 juin à Douyiet : côté Anatidés, c’est incontestablement la journée de la nidification du Fuligule milouin : près de 20 familles observées ! (346 ex. min. sur le lac occidental, dont : 3 femelles suivies chacune d’1 jeune, 3 femelles suivies chacune de 2 jeunes, 6 femelles suivies chacune de 3 jeunes, 2 femelles suivies chacune de 4 jeunes, 2 femelles suivies chacune de 5 jeunes, 1 femelle suivie de 8 jeunes, 1 femelle suivie de 9 jeunes et 1 femelle suivie de 10 jeunes).
C’est aussi celle, tant attendue et prévisible cette année, de l’Érismature à tête blanche : 1 couple a été observé accompagné de 4 poussins (après son retour spectaculaire de ces dernières années, c’est la 3ème nidification certaine à Douyièt – et au Maroc – depuis l’année 2000). Vu les parades nuptiales observées et le bon nombre d’adultes présents, il est probable que d’autres couples élèveront des jeunes cet été, profitant de la tranquillité du site et des belles zones de roselières étendues et bien développées.
Les Nettes rousses poursuivent avec succès leur nidification (33 ex. min. sur le lac occidental, dont : 1 femelle suivie d’1 jeune, 1 femelle suivie de 2 jeunes, 1 femelle suivie de 5 jeunes, 1 femelle suivie de 6 jeunes et 1 femelle suivie de 10 jeunes) et les nombres de Grèbes (castagneux et huppés) sont aussi intéressants, de même que celui des Foulques macroules. Deux Fuligules nyrocas au moins sont encore présents.
Les deux ou trois couples de Busards des roseaux notés ce printemps se maintiennent, de même que la petite population de Foulques caronculées.
Sur le lac oriental, encore bien en eau, un bon nombre d’Echasses blanches a été noté (40ne ex. min. dont 10 adultes en position de couveurs), et quelques mouvements migratoires (ou de dispersion post-nuptiale d’espèces méditerranéennes) sont déjà sensibles : Aigrette garzette, Flamant rose, Avocette élégante, … tandis que des estivants intéressants pour le pays sont présents (Héron cendré, Mouette rieuse et Sterne hansel p. ex.) (J. Franchimont & F. Touati Malih).

16 June 2009

A new paper is available in Go-South Bulletin:

Qninba, A. ; El Idrissi Essougrati, A. ; Bensouiba, H. ; Irizi, M. & Bergier, P. 2009. Nidification de l’Aigrette garzette Egretta garzetta dans la retenue de barrage d’Al Massira-Layoune en 2009. Go-South Bull. 6 : 104-106.

1 May 2009

Petter with some of his family and friends have just got back from a week of quite hard birding from Dhakla in the south to Larache in the north. At Oued Massa the 19 April : 7 Black Crowned Tchagras, 5 Plain Martins and a Ferruginous Duck. In the evening at Khniffis: at least 4 of the Kelp Gulls observed during 15 minutes at the cliff next to the warden’s house before a military/police sent them away since they didn´t had the necessary permission to be there.
The next morning (20 April) at the Ausserd road, unfortunately they just drove to km 41 and therefore they missed the Sudan Golden Sparrows. It was quite windy during the visit but they managed to see one Cricket Longtail at km 56 from Ausserd, at the same place were also a family of Desert Sparrows. Black-crowned Fnch Lark and Hoopoe Lark were both very common in the area. At km 76 from Ausserd they had their only African Desert Warbler and at km 41 they had a family of Fulvous Babblers, as well as some migrating passerines such as Western Orphean Warbler, Garden Warbler, Bonelli´s Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Melodious Warbler and also more Desert Sparrows. Also a possible Dunn´s Lark.
Later on that day at Dhakla, 5 Royal Terns passing by as well as at least three Lesser Crested Terns. At the southeastern tip of the city where you reach a large wall/fence just south of the outskirts of the town they had a lot of shorebirds, but also one egret that they didn´t manage to sort out the species. The legs were really tall and completely dark, even the feets, which should sort out little egret. But the bird also looked too small being a Great White Egret. The bill looked all dark and quite powerful. If there are birdwatchers going there they can at least keep their eyes open.
The 21 April at the parking lot close to the Tan Tan km 76 along the way to Guelmin, there was a sparrow-like bird which they still haven´t sort out the species : it looked a little like aBobolink in the face with yellowish eye-brows and a yellowish crown-stripe. It was a little bit larger than the Spanish Sparrows that were around. It seemed to return to the same spot right next to the parking-lot all the time. So it may still be there. At km 22 south of Guelmin, at least one Thick-billed Lark.
At dawn the 22 April at the upper car of Oukaimeden, 16 Crimson-winged Finches, 2 Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes, Atlas Horned Larks and Seebohms Wheatears; also a Ring Ouzel on the way down.
The next morning at Foret de Jaba: two males of Atlas Pied Flycatcher, several Levaillant´s woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Jays, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Rollers, Hoopoes, and Hawfinches. There were also many Scops Owls calling during the night: they still managed to hear at least 8 birds calling in a few stops. On the way to Ifrane, a flock of 60 Lesser Kestrels hunting over the plains after the forest. At Sidi Yahhah Zaers, at least 5 Double-spurred Francolins at the car park
On 24 April morning at Merja Zerga: one Marsh Owl at the roosting place along the channel at the southern part of the reserve (Petter Olsson, Peter Olsson, Martin Rydberg-Hedén and Mikael Ohlson, Sweden).

26 April 2009

Pieter and his friends have had great sightings in the Saharan Atlantic Morocco: a 1st winter Iceland Gull at the mouth of Oued Souss on 18 April; a Great Black-backed Gull at Dakhla Bay on 20 April; 7 Sudan Golden Sparrows (2 males and 5 females/juveniles – First for Morocco), several Dunns Larks, lots of Black-crowned Finch Larks and Desert Sparrows, 2 Desert Warblers, a Pharaoh Eagle Owl and at km 187 two2 singing Cricket Longtails on the road to Aousserd on 22 April; 2 Royal Terns, 3 Lesser Crested Terns and a Grey Heron of the subspecies ‘monicae‘ (First for Morocco) at Dakhla Bay on 22 April; no less than 10 adult Kelp Gulls at Khniffis lagoon on 23 April (two were rather close to the watching point and flew off to the gull colony in the middle of the lagoon where the other birds where sitting. Later on 6 moved to the sandy beach at the south side of the lagoon) (P. Vantieghem, P. Adriaens, D. De Groote & K. Lambeets).

26 April 2009

Records from southern Morocco provided by Arnoud from 25 March to 15 April:

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus: Breeding pairs were present not only at the Ouarzazate lake but also at Dayet Srij in Merzouga in March and April.
Great Egret Casmerodius albus: An individual was present at the Mansour lake 15 km east from Ouarzazate on 31 March and two were at Ouarzazate on 1 April.
Continental Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis: A remarkable V-flock of 42 adults was photographed flying north over the desert of eastern Boumalne, circling to gain height over the foothills, on 29 March. Moreover, at least 25 were present at the Mansour lake east of Ouarzazate on 11 April. White-breasted lucidus/maroccanus individuals were seen along the Atlantic coast between Tamri and Oued Massa although sinensis were noted here too.
Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata: Two different males were found at Merzouga, both photographed, the first close to Erg Chebbi on 30 March and the second close to the Erfoud road on 10 April. I wonder whether the fact that the entire plain was green and flowering may have attracted these birds. On the other hand, despite being very shy, they could relate to released birds as well, obviously.
Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus: An adult (or subadult) was photographed flying above the skilifts at Oukaimeden on 6 April.
Tundra Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus calidus: On 3 April, one flew high northward over Oued Massa. On 4 April, one arrived from the north at Embouchure Oued Souss, landed in a tree and then started to hunt pigeons successfully. On 15 April, one was roosting on the beach of Embouchure Oued Souss . The identification was tentative as they could not be photographed from close range; peregrines at Rissani on 30 March and at Tamri on 2 April were likely to be F p brookei or hybrids.
Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides: An adult was well seen when it was attacking terns at Embouchure Oued Souss on 15 April.
Little Crake Porzana parva: Singing at Mansour at 15 km east of Ouarzazate, on 31 March.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus: Singing at Sdi Rbat, Oued Massa, on 14 April.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica: A huge roosting flock of 1000-2000 was present at Embouchure Oued Souss in the evening of 14 April, mixed with a few 100s Sandwich Terns S sandvicensis.
Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis: At Embouchure Oued Souss, two adults were discovered on 14 April and one on 15 April.
Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus: A pair was showing breeding behaviour in the arid plain between Derkaoua and the Rissani-Merzouga road on 10 April (the same day, also a flock of five was photographed nearby). On 30 March, in the same area, the species was often seen in flight and two plus three were found foraging on the ground.
Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus: Apart from a ‘regular’ flock of up to 20 along the Ikniouen road east of Boumalne on 28 March and 8-9 April, a total of 13 was seen east of Skoura.
Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus: The same Rissani pair visited by James’ Sunbird group also showed well with three juveniles (and one egg) on 30 March and two juveniles on 10 April.
Maghreb Tawny Owl Strix mauritanica: One was photographed at night in the centre of Taroudannt on 12 April; it was calling to a second individual.
Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius: Up to three were seen at Derkaoua, Merzouga, on 29-31 March and 10 April.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major: Drumming at the garden of the Royal Palace at Embouchure Oued Souss on 4 and 15 April.
Thick-billed Lark Ramphocorys clotbey: A pair was building a nest at 15 km north-east of Goulmima on 29 March. (Two behaving as a breeding pair were also seen east of Skoura and one was found east of Boumalne.)
Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti: One was briefly singing in the middle of the day of 1 April at Tizi-n-Taghatine.
Long-billed Crested Lark Galerida macrorhyncha: Remarkably, in a small area along the Mansour lake east of Ouarzazate, three Galerida species were identified on 11 April, ie, Thekla Lark G theklae, Common Crested Lark G cristata and Long-billed Crested Lark; the latter appeared regular in the Tafilalt.
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus: Several were photographed along the lake shore in Ouarzazate, with 13 on 1 April and five on 12 April.
Ashy-headed Wagtail Motacilla cinereocapilla: Curiously, on 14 April, as in previous years, several were singing at Oued Massa. Combined with earlier observations, it may suggest that this taxon is breeding in this south-western corner of Morocco ; apart from sound-recordings, there are several pictures and video grabs to substantiate the identification. The taxon was not identified anywhere else this year, all migrating yellow wagtails being Blue-headed flava, Spanish iberiae or Yellow flavissima.
Western Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe halophila: Apart from a pair east of Boumalne, this taxon was rarely seen with brief views from a driving vehicle only, eg, on 31 March at 42 km east of Tinjdad.
Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta: On 29 March, one was photographed 15 km north-east of Goulmima. On 9 April, at the same spot, a pair with 4 recently fledged juveniles was found.
Saharan Olivaceous Warbler Acrocephalus pallidus reiseri: As usual in recent years, several were found in the Tafilalt. In the Touroug oasis, on 31 March and 9 April, no less than four were singing within a couple of 100 metres and a sound-recording was made (a Western Olivaceous Warbler A opacus was also singing here). More surprisingly, one or two were singing in tamarisk trees at the eastern edge of Ouarzazate on 1 and 12 April (one individual was photographed).
Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus: At Derkaoua, Merzouga, at least five were present on 31 March, and the calls of one were sound-recorded.
Tristram’s Warbler Sylvia deserticola: Apart from adults, recently fledged juveniles were seen at Aiguelmous, Tizi-n-Tichka, on 7 April and north of Tinerhir on 8 April.
African Desert Sparrow Passer simplex: Only one remaining breeding pair appeared to be present at the buildings along the northern edge of Erg Chebbi, Merzouga; three recently-fledgled juveniles were fed by the adult male on 30 March while the female was nesting again.
African Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys alienus: Curiously absent from Oukaimeden in late March but, on 6 April, six were present as usual on rocks surrounded by snow at the ski-lift.
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus: Curiously rare this year with only a handful seen in three weeks: two briefly along the Ikniouen road near Boumalne on 28 March, one at Rissani on 10 April, and two at Oued Iriri on 12 April.
Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus: On 6 April, a flock of 11, most if not all being males, was still present in high trees along the road south of Toufliht at Tizi-n-Tichka.
Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana: As in previous years, several (at least four) were present (also briefly singing) at Oued Iriri (A.B. van den Berg).

Pelobates varaldii : pas vu d’adultes une mare pleine d’énormes tétards (7,5 cm !) dans la partie orientale de la Mamora 34°02.100′ – W 6°11.470, alt 253 m, vers la maison forestière de Bir Chleu, le 31 mars. Il y avait des centaines de dayets temporaires, plus ou moins grandes, dans l’ensemble de la forêt.
Rana saharica : très abondante dans la moindre étendue d’eau, y compris en altitude et dans des torrents impétueux.
Bufo viridis : probable à Dayet Ifrah, Ifrane, vers 1650 m d’altitude. Nombreux tétards de petite taille, chant entendu me semblant être celui du Crapaud vert, mais pas de crapaud aperçu.
Testudo graeca : abondante dans la Mamora, 3 individus trouvés en une heure autour du pique-nique les 31 mars, 1 et 2 avril. Egalement dans la région d’Oulmès, et plusieurs dans la forêt de Jaba, Ifrane. Plusieurs caisses de petites tortues en vente dans la médina de Fès. Prix de départ de la négociation : 20 dirhams… (1.9 euro), ce qui laisse prévoir un prix de vente à 0.50 euro…
Mauremys leprosa : commune dans le moindre cours d’eau : oued traversant Meknes, forêt de la Mamora (Ben Slimane), oued torrentueux dans la région d’Oulmès, Dayet Aoua, Aguelmane d’Afennourir (1800 m), etc.
Podarcis hispanica : abondant dans la forêt de Jaba, Ifrane, et dans la région d’Oulmès.
Psammodromus algirus algirus : commun dans la forêt de la Maâmora, près de Bled Dendoun.
Acanthodactylus lineomaculatus : très commun dans la Maâmora. Juvénile photographié au même endroit que l’Algyre.
Tarentola mauritanica : très commune en plein jour dans la forêt de la Mamora et différents endroits du pays Zaiane.
Trogonophis wiegmanni elegans : un exempliare de cet amphisbène endémique sous un tronc pourri tombé à terre, même endroit que l’Algyre et l’Acanthodactylus lineomaculatus (F. Dhermain).

10 April 2009

Sur le Jbel Zerhoun (région de Meknès) : une dizaine d’Aigles bottés dont certains en parades, 3 Circaètes Jean-le-Blanc, 3+ Milans noirs, une Buse féroce, 2 Faucons crécerelles, quelques Roitelets triple-bandeaux dont un chanteur cantonné, un Gobemouche noir en halte, un Troglodyte mignon et un Rougegorge familier le 9 mars (J. Franchimont).

9 April 2009

En ville de Rabat (Quartier Hassan), plusieurs Fauvettes à tête noire (chanteurs), Engoulevent d’Europe (plusieurs chanteurs – l’espèce y est présente depuis le mois de février), Busard Saint-Martin le 15 mars. Aux Marais de Larache, une Fauvette grisette, + Locustelles luscinoïdes, 3 Phargmites des joncs, 3 Lusciniole à moustaches, + Rousserolles effervattes, Botaurus stellaris (facile à voir et entendre !!!), un couple de Nettes rousses, 3 Fuligules nyrocas, 33 Ibis falcinelles le 30 mars. Au Parc de Sous-Massa, Ibis chauves sur les sites de nidification, un couple de Cormorans huppés construisant son nid dans une falaise près de Douar Douira, Grand Cormoran du Maroc, un Courvite isabelle, un Sirli du désert, ++ Alouettes calandrelles, un Traquet à tête grise au nord du village Taghazout (je ne l’ai jamais observé dans une telle latitude au Maroc) du 1 au 4 avril (I. Cherkaoui, SEO/BirdLife).

9 April 2009

Les 5 premiers Guêpiers d’Europe de l’année dans la vallée de l’Oued Beht sur l’autoroute Meknès – Rabat le 27 mars ; premier Rollier d’Europe de l’année près de Benslimane, en même temps qu’un Aigle botté de passage, le 5 avril (J. Franchimont).

4 April 2009

22 mars : un Pic de Levaillant dans un boisement de noyers à Aghbalou, route de l’Oukaimeden. 23 mars : à Tagdilt, un nid d’Alouettes bilophes (3 poussins de c. 5 jours), un couple de Busards cendrés, 5 Milans noirs en migration, 2 Buses féroces, 30 Alouettes calandrelles, un couple d’Ammomanes élégantes et un d’Ammomanes isabellines, une Fauvette à lunette, un Rougequeue de Moussier, ca 10 Cochevis de Thekla, des Bruants striolés collectant des matériaux, 15 Traquets du desert, 10 Traquets motteux, 2 Traquets oreillards, un seul Traquet à tête grise ! une Pie-grieche méridionale ; 2 Tourterelle maillée dans le village d’Imiter ; 2-3 mâles et une femelle de Traquet deuil au km 26 Tinerhir, endroit classique pour cette espèce ; 11 Pie-grièches méridionales, 2 Guêpiers de Perse 10 km avant Errachidia et 2 Pie-grièches à tête rousse sur 50 km de route (comtage seulement que d’un coté de la route) entre Goulmina et Errachidia. 24 mars : dans la steppe 5 km au sud de Zeida, recherche tardive (vers 07.30) infructueuse du Sirli de Dupont ; sur ce site, 10 Alouettes pispolettes, 1 Faucon crecerelle, 6 Traquets oreillards, 4 Alouettes haussecol, 5 Alouettes bilophes, 1 couple d’Ammomanes élégantes, 4 Alouettes calandrelles, 10 Traquets du desert, 8 mâles chanteurs de Traquets à tête grise (couple au nid), 10 Cochevis de Thekla, 3 Pipits rousseline, Linotte mélodieuse abondante. 24 mars : un Elanion blanc et 5-7 Circaètes Jean-le-Blanc à l’intersection des routes Dayet Aoua et Dayet Ifrah ; assez nombreux oiseaux d’eau sur les Dayets Aoua, Ifrah et Hachlaff (dont un couple de Chipeaux sur Aoua). 25 et 26 mars : 7 Grandes Aigrettes et 2 Goélands railleurs à Merja Zerga. 26 mars : 100+ Nettes rousses (1 cp + 10 poussins), 6 Chipeaux, 6 Sarcelles marbrées, 100 Fuligules milouins (1 cp + 8 poussins), 4 mâles et 2 femelles de Fuligules nyroca, un Torcol fourmilier chanteur, une Grive musicienne, bribe de chant d’une Phragmite des joncs à Sidi Bou-Rhaba. 27 mars : 4-5 Francolins à double éperon, 4 Perdrix gambra, 5 Aigles bottés, 3 Grives musiciennes, un Tchagra à tête noire chanteur et 2 Grosbecs dans la réserve de chasse royale des Zaërs. 28 mars : couvaison d’une Hyplolaïs obscure au Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech (E. Roualet et al., NoF travel).

28 March 2009

Two recent trips have provided one Short-eared Owl at Oued Souss on 12 Jan; one Plain Swift, one Great Spotted Cuckoo and 2 Ruddy Shelducks at Oued Massa on 13 Jan; one Golden Eagle at Barrage Youssef ben Tachfine on 14 Jan; 2 Levaillant’s Woodpeckers at Imlil on 15 Jan; 12 Crimson-winged Finches, 40 Rock Sparrows, 15 Horned Larks and 2 coelebsChaffinches at Oukaimeden on 6-7 March; 2 Woodchat Shrikes at Tafinegoult on 7 March; one Turtle Dove and 8 Marbled Ducks at Oued Massa on 8 March; one Common Gull and 14 Mediterranean Gulls at Oued Souss on 9 March; one Nightingale, 14 Bee-eaters migrating north, 20 Avocets migrating north, 50 Alpine Swifts migrating north and 9 Marbled Ducks at Oued Massa on 10 March; 4 Curlew Sandpipers, one Wryneck, 2 Nightingales and 2 Black-eared Wheatears at Oued Souss on 11 March; 2 Temminck’s Stints and 3 Tree Pipits at Ouarzazate on 13 March; a Robin near Agdz on 13 March; 15+ Desert Sparrows in two areas at M’hamid on 13 March; 4 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters at Rissani and 3 others at Erfoud (Derkaoua) on 16 March; 2 Gull-billed Terns at Merzouga Lake on 16 March ; 8 Ferruginous Ducks and 90 Marbled Ducks at Merzouga Lake on 17 March; 19 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, one Desert Sparrow and one Isabelline Wheatear at Cafe Yasmina, Merzouga, on 18 March; 230 Cormorants at roost at Ouarzazate Barrage on 20 March; and 300 Bee-eaters migrating north, 3 Horned Larks and one Griffon Vulture flying north at Tizi-n-Tichka on 21 March (S. Lister & P. Jones).

28 March 2009

3 Percnoptères, un Vautour fauve, un Epervier, 7 Milans noirs en vol nord et un Rossignol à Sidi Slimane le 18 mars . Le même jour, premier Rossignol philomèle de l’année à Meknès (M. Fareh et J. Franchimont in Gomac).

21 March 2009

After our recent paper on Kittiwakes in Morocco, Rubén Barone Tosco (Canary Islands) has provided the following information: ‘… we have had a big influx of this species in the Canary Islands this winter. Up to the moment many local and foreign observers have found several dead birds (both adults and immatures) and have seen many live birds in flocks or solitaries, in many of our islands – information on http://avescanarias.blogspot.com/ – For the moment I have found two dead birds in a locality of Tenerife and other four (2+ 2) in two close localities of Fuerteventura. All these records, together with many others, are mentioned in the blog cited above, in some cases with colour photos. Apart from the Kittiwake some observers watched different ‘rare’ species, like Larus melanocephalus, L. audouinii, L. hyperboreus and even L. glaucoides (see the blog). An unusual year of vagrant gulls to the Canaries!!‘.

21 March 2009

A l’embouchure de la Moulouya le 1 mars : 14 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 165 Calonectris diomedea, 48 Morus bassanus, 37 Phalacrocorax carbo, 72 Ardea cinerea, 3 Casmerodius albus, 58 Egretta garzetta, 81 Bubulcus ibis, 12 Platalea leucorodia, 178 Anas platyrhynchos, 441 Anas crecca, 4 Anas querquedula, 115 Anas acuta, 312 Anas clypeata, 92 Marmaronetta angustirostris, 95 Aythya ferina, 4 Circus aeruginosus, 1 couple Falco peregrinus brookei, 3 Falco tinnunculus, 13 Gallinula chloropus, 2 Porphyrio porphyrio, 68 Fulica atra, 61 Himantopus himantopus, 6 Charadrius hiaticula, 53 Charadrius alexandrinus, 48 Calidris alba, 5 Tringa ochropus, 4 Numenius phaeopus, 7 Limosa limosa, 7 Gallinago gallinago, 2 Catharacta skua, 64 Larus audouinii, 66 Larus ridibundus, 5 Larus melanocephalus, 17 Sterna sandvicensis, 2 Columba palumbus, 2 Alcedo atthis, 6 Galerida cristata, 10 Hirundo rustica, 19 Delichon urbicum, Motacilla alba (50+ alba; 1 yarrellii; 3 subpersonata), 4 Motacilla cinerea, 4 Lanius meridionalis algeriensis, 5 Locustella luscinioides, 6 Cettia cetti, 60+ Cisticola juncidis, 2 Sylvia undata, 10 Saxicola torquatus et 3 Luscinia svecica.
A Melilla le 7 mars, de 8h30 à 11h30 : 21 Puffinus mauretanicus, 1480 Calonectris diomedea, 508 Morus bassanus, 29 Phalacrocorax carbo, 21 Catharacta skua, 9 Stercorarius parasiticus,2 Stercorarius pomarinus, 286 Larus audouinii, 96 Larus ridibundus, 9 Larus melanocephalus, 85 Larus fuscus, 29 Sterna sandvicensis, 32 Tursiops truncatus.
Au Barrage Mechra Homadi le 19 mars : 24 Podiceps cristatus (parades nuptiales et construction de nids), 26 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 49 Phalacrocorax carbo, 5 Ardea cinerea, 1 Casmerodius albus, 1 Ixobrychus minutus, 3 couples de Tadorna ferrginea, 31 Anas platyrhynchos en couples, 3 couples de Anas strepera, 1 couple de Anas crecca, 127 Aythya ferina, 2 couples de Aythya nyroca, 1 Accipiter nisus, 3 Circus aeruginosus, 1 couple de Falco peregrinus brookei, 10 Falco naumanni, 2 couples de Falco tinnunculus, 28 Gallinula chloropus, 12 Fulica atra, 3 Charadrius hiaticula, 15 Charadrius dubius, 7 Charadrius alexandrinus, 2 Tringa nebularia, 1 Actitis hypoleucos, Galerida cristata, Hirundo rustica, 8 Motacilla alba subpersonata, Pycnonotus barbatus, 2 Lanius meridionalis algeriensis, 1 Lanius senator, Cettia cetti, Sylvia atricapilla, Phylloscopus trochilus, Phylloscopus collybita, Oenanthe hispanica, Erithacus rubecula, Turdus merula, Turdus philomelos, Parus major, Parus teneriffae ultramarinus (D. Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar).

17 March 2009

A new paper is available in Go-South Bulletin:

Qninba, A. ; El Idrissi Essougrati, A. ; Radi, M. & Bergier, P. 2009. Mortalité de Mouettes tridactyles Rissa tridactyla (Charadriiformes, Larii) dans la région du Rharb (Nord-Ouest du Maroc) en février 2009. Go-South Bull. 6 : 101-103.

15 February 2009

Recent records received by the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee have included a Great White Egret at Barrage de Layoune, Saquiat Al Hamra, on 6 January (2 adults – A. Qninba, M. Radi & A. El Idrissi) and a Bittern at Merja Bargha, Rharb, on 27 January (A. Qninba et al.). The complete list for session #15 is available at the dedicated webpage.

12 February 2009

An adult Black-Browed Albatross was apparently seen on 27 January following a trawler 55 nautical miles SW of Casablanca mid-morning (L.G.R. Evans per Steven Daly of Andalucian Guides).

12 February 2009

Jens’ great report to Western Sahara and Antlantic Morocco has been posted on the trip reports webpage. It includes hundreds of recoveries, some rare species for Morocco (Great White Egret, Ring-billed and Great Black-backed Gulls), and many desert species from the region of Aousserd (Black-crowned Finch Lark, Dunn’s Lark, Cricket Warbler…).
Number of ring sightings: 1 = Calidris alba; 2 = Haematopus ostralegus ; 3 = Larus audouinii ; 4 = Larus fuscus ; 5 = Larus melanocephalus ; 6 = Phoenicopterus roseus ; 7 = Platalea leucorodia ; 8 = Plegadis falcinellus ; 9 = Sterna nilotica ; 10 = Tringa nebularia

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total
Merja Zerga			43	2					2		47
Mehdia				1							1
El Jadida				1	5						6
Oualidia			65	5	1	17	14		7		109
Cap Bedouza			7	3							10
Oued Tensift			10	1	3						14
Safi				1							1
Oued Tamri			87	18							105
Anza, Agadir				197							197
Port d’Agadir				14							14
Oued Souss							1				1
Oued Massa			3	2		2	4	24			35
Plage Blanche	1									1	2
Tantan Plage			3	12							15
Oued Chebeika		1	8			5					14
Oued El Ouaar			9			4					13
Oued Ma Fatma			1								1
Sidi Akhfenir			3	5							8
Khnifiss						6	13				19
Tarfaya			11								11
Layoune Plage			12	1							13
Baie de Dakhla		1	10			13			1		25
Total	1	2	272	263	9	47	32	24	10	1	661

10 February 2009

Tempêtes et intempéries dans le nord du Maroc début février. Un Océanite cul-blanc près de la côte à Salé le 3 février. Sur l’autoroute entre Rabat et Tanger, formation d’une zone humide longue d’environ 50 km et large de 1à 7 km max depuis le Canal de Boufekroune jusqu’au Canal Nador. 8 Oies cendrées à Merja Daoura le 6 février. Une Cigogne noire le 7 février dans un marais formé récemment dans une plantation d’acacias entre Bouznika et Mohammadia.
Egalement, un Vautour fauve en vol à Salé et plusieurs centaines de Choucas des tours dans la ville le 3 février (I. Cherkaoui).

7 February 2009

A la suite des importantes précipitations, les réserves des barrages ont progressé de 40,7% et la production de céréales pourrait dépasser 70 millions de quintaux en 2009, contre 51 millions en 2007-2008 (Jeune Afrique, 25-31 janvier 2009). La saison de reproduction 2009 devrait être excellente pour beaucoup d’espèces d’oiseaux.

4 February 2009

4 January 2009

Au barrage Tleta Boubker le 9 décembre : 1 Podiceps nigricollis, 18 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 12 Bubulcus ibis, 16 Tadorna ferruginea, 21 Anas platyrhynchos, 38 Anas crecca, 29 Anas clypeata, 1 Netta rufina, 6 Aythya ferina, 1 Buteo rufinus, 2 Circus aeruginosus, 1 couple de Falco peregrinus brookei, 1 Tringa ochoropus, 7 Gallinago gallinago, 23 Larus fuscus graellsii, Motacilla alba (24 alba – 3 subpersonata), Lanius meridionalis (3 algeriensis – 1 dodsoni), 2 Saxicola torquatus, 30+ Miliara calandra et 10.000+ Sturnus vulgaris (D. Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar).

4 January 2009

Le 7 décembre à Oualidia, le GOMAC a observé les oiseaux suivants : 1 Héron pourpré juv, 1 Balbuzard pêcheur, 2 Tadornes de Belon, 2 Nettes rousses, 1 Caille des blés, une bonne diversité de limicoles avec une Bécassine sourde probable et 36 Pluviers dorés, 10 Goélands railleurs, 15 Mouettes mélanocéphales, 600 Goélands d’Audouin, 2 Guifettes moustac, 6 Gorgebleues et des joncs remplis de Cisticoles, de Pouillots véloces et de Tariers pâtres. Egalement un Bruant des roseaux.

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