Recent records from Peter at Essaouira : ‘I have just spent a week at Essaouira, where the prolonged drought meant that the river was not flowing into the sea, and there were very low numbers of water birds on the estuary.  However, the few small lakes and lagoons to the east of the town contained a good variety, including:  over 30 Glossy Ibis, Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Green, Wood and Common Sandpipers, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Greenshank, as well as the usual common local breeders. The most interesting record was a single Marsh Sandpiper on 22 July. Elsewhere in the area, the number of Spotted Flycatchers (many with fledged young) was noticeably high, compared to other recent years’ (Peter Greig-Smith)

Peter’s papers on Essaouira:

• Greig-Smith, P.W. Birds observed in Essaouira, 2007-2011. Go-South Bulletin 8: 104–112.
• Greig-Smith, P.W. Use of habitats by resident and migrant birds in and around a golf course on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Bird Study 61: 111–120.