Morocco Birding Species List

Red-rumped Wheatear. 

A species list to supplement the original tour report, which can be found on this link. The tour took place between the 27th September and 6th October 2013. It was a time when most of the major autumn migration had been and gone, whilst the region was awaiting the arrival of winter residents. So the timing could have been better for a more comprehensive bird list, but despite the timing we managed a good cross section of species and managed the great majority of our target birds.

Greater Hoopoe Lark

Species List.

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

Ruddy Shelduck                  Tadorna ferruginea

Gadwall                                Anas strepera

Mallard                                 Anas platyrhynchos

Northern Shoveler               Anas clypeata

Eurasian Teal                       Anas crecca

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae

Barbary Partridge                 Alectoris barbara

                                           

PODICEPIDIFORMES: Podicipedidae

Little Grebe                          Tachybaptus ruficollis

Great Crested Grebe           Podiceps cristatus

Black-necked Grebe            Podiceps nigricollis

PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae

Greater Flamingo                 Phoenicopterus roseus

PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae

Great Cormorant                  Phalacrocorax carbo

Long-tailed Cormorant         Phalacrocorax africanus

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae

Little Bittern                         Ixobrychus minutus

Grey Heron                          Ardea cinerea

Little Egret                           Egretta garzetta

Cattle Egret                          Bubulcus ibis

Squacco Heron                    Ardeola ralloides

Squacco Heron

CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae

Glossy Ibis                           Plegadis falcinellus

Northern Bald Ibis                Geronticus eremita

Eurasian Spoonbill               Platalea leucorodia

CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae

White Stork                          Ciconia ciconia

FALCONIFORMES: Pandionidae

Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus

FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae

Black-shouldered Kite          Elanus caeruleus

Short-toed Eagle                  Circaetus gallicus

Western Marsh-Harrier        Circus aeruginosus

Montagu's Harrier                Circus pygargus

Eurasian Sparrowhawk         Accipiter nisus

Eurasian Buzzard                 Buteo buteo

Long-legged Buzzard          Buteo rufinus

Bonelli's Eagle                     Aquila fasciata

Booted Eagle                       Aquila pennata

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

Lesser Kestrel                     Falco naumanni

Eurasian Kestrel                   Falco tinnunculus

Eurasian Hobby                   Falco subbuteo

Lanner Falcon                      Falco biarmicus

Barbary Falcon                     Falco pelegrinoides

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

Common Moorhen               Gallinula chloropus

Red-knobbed Coot              Fulica cristata

Eurasian Coot                      Fulica atra

CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae

Stone Curlew                       Burhinus oedicnemus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Grey Plover                         Pluvialis squatarola

Common Ringed Plover       Charadrius hiaticula

Little Ringed Plover             Charadrius dubius

CHARADRIIFORMES: Haematopodidae

Eurasian Oystercatcher        Haematopus ostralegus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae

Black-winged Stilt                 Himantopus himantopus

Avocet                                 Recurvirostra avosetta

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae

Common Sandpiper             Actitis hypoleucos

Green Sandpiper                 Tringa ochropus

Spotted Redshank               Tringa erythropus

Common Greenshank          Tringa nebularia

Wood Sandpiper                  Tringa glareola

Common Redshank             Tringa totanus

Whimbrel                             Numenius phaeopus

Black-tailed Godwit              Limosa limosa

Bar-tailed Godwit                 Limosa lapponica

Ruddy Turnstone                 Arenaria interpres

Sanderling                           Calidris alba

Dunlin                                  Calidris alpina

Curlew Sandpiper                Calidris ferruginea

Ruff                                     Philomachus pugnax

Common Snipe                    Gallinago gallinago

Common Sandpiper

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae

Slender-billed Gull               Chroicocephalus genei

Black-headed Gull                Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Audouin's Gull                     Ichthyaetyus audouinii

Yellow-legged Gull               Larus michahellis

Lesser Black-backed Gull    Larus fuscus

Little Tern                            Sternula albifrons

Gull-billed Tern                    Gelochelidon nilotica

Caspian Tern                       Hydroprogne caspia

Black Tern                           Chlidonias niger

Common Tern                      Sterna hirundo

Sandwich Tern                     Thalasseus sandvicensis

PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae

Black-bellied Sandgrouse    Pterocles orientalis

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Rock Pigeon                        Columba livia

Common Wood-Pigeon        Columba palumbus

Eurasian Turtle-Dove           Streptopelia turtur

Eurasian Collared-Dove       Streptopelia decaocto

Laughing Dove                    Streptopelia senegalensis

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

European Scops-Owl           Otus scops

Pharaoh Eagle-Owl              Bubo ascalaphus

Little Owl                              Athene noctua

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

Egyptian Nightjar                  Caprimulgus aegyptius

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

Pallid Swift                           Apus pallidus

Little Swift                            Apus affinis

Alpine Swift                          Tachymarptis melba

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher             Alcedo atthis

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae

European Bee-eater            Merops apiaster

PICIFORMES: Picidae

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae

Southern Grey Shrike          Lanius meridionalis

Woodchat Shrike                 Lanius senator

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Eurasian Jay                        Garrulus glandarius

Magpie                                 Pica pica mauritanica

Chough                                Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

Alpine Chough                     Pyrrhocorax graculus

Eurasian Jackdaw                Corvus monedula

Brown-necked Raven          Corvus ruficollis

Common Raven                   Corvus corax

PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae

Greater Hoopoe Lark           Alaemon alaudipes

Desert Lark                          Ammomanes deserti

Greater Short-toed Lark       Calandrella brachydactyla

Lesser Short-toed Lark        Calandrella rufescens

Crested Lark                        Galerida cristata

Thekla Lark                          Galerida theklae

Wood Lark                           Lullula arborea

Shorelark                             Eremophila alpestris

Temminck's Horned Lark     Eremophila bilopha

                                   Temminck's Horned Lark                            

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Eurasian Crag Martin           Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Barn Swallow                       Hirundo rustica

House Martin                       Delichon urbicum

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae

Coal Tit                                Periparus ater

Great Tit                              Parus major

African Blue Tit                    Cyanistes teneriffae

                                           

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae

Eurasian Nuthatch                Sitta europaea

PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae

Short-toed Treecreeper       Certhia brachydactyla

PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae

Wren                                    Troglodytes troglodytes

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

Common Bulbul                   Pycnonotus barbatus

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae

Zitting Cisticola                    Cisticola juncidis

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae

Cetti's Warbler                     Cettia cetti

Savi's Warbler                      Locustella luscinioides

Eurasian Reed-Warbler        Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Western Olivaceous Warbler    Hippolais opaca

Willow Warbler                     Phylloscopus trochilus

Common Chiffchaff             Phylloscopus collybita

Iberian Chiffchaff                 Phylloscopus ibericus

Blackcap                              Sylvia atricapilla

Western Orphean Warbler   Sylvia hortensis

Greater Whitethroat             Sylvia communis

Spectacled Warbler              Sylvia conspicillata

Dartford Warbler                  Sylvia undata

Subalpine Warbler               Sylvia cantillans

Sardinian Warbler                Sylvia melanocephala

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae

Spotted Flycatcher               Muscicapa striata

European Pied Flycatcher    Ficedula hypoleuca

Atlas Flycatcher                   Ficedula speculigera

Bluethroat                            Luscinia svecica

Black Redstart                      Phoenicurus ochruros

Common Redstart                Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Moussier's Redstart             Phoenicurus moussieri

White-crowned Black Wheatear           Oenanthe leucopyga

Black Wheatear                    Oenanthe leucura

Northern Wheatear              Oenanthe oenanthe

Seebohmi's Wheatear          Oenanthe seebohmii

Mourning Wheatear             Oenanthe lugens

Red-rumped Wheatear        Oenanthe moesta

Black-eared Wheatear          Oenanthe hispanica

Desert Wheatear                  Oenanthe deserti

Isabelline Wheatear             Oenanthe isabellina

Whinchat                              Saxicola rubetra

Stonechat                            Saxicola torquatus

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae

Blue Rock-Thrush                Monticola solitarius

Eurasian Blackbird               Turdus merula

Mistle Thrush                       Turdus viscivorus

PASSERIFORMES: Malaconotidae

Black-crowned Tchagra       Tchagra senegalus

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Spotless Starling                  Sturnus unicolor

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Western Yellow Wagtail       Motacilla flava

Grey Wagtail                        Motacilla cinerea

White Wagtail                       Motacilla alba

Tree Pipit                             Anthus trivialis

                                           

PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae

Cirl Bunting                          Emberiza cirlus

House Bunting                     Emberiza striolata

Corn Bunting                       Emberiza calandra

Corn Bunting

PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae

Chaffinch                             Fringilla coelebs

European Greenfinch          Carduelis chloris

European Goldfinch             Carduelis carduelis

Eurasian Linnet                    Carduelis cannabina

European Serin                    Serinus serinus

Hawfinch                              Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Trumpeter Finch                  Bucanetes githagineus

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

House Sparrow                    Passer domesticus

Spanish Sparrow                  Passer hispaniolensis

Rock Sparrow                      Petronia petronia

Moroccan Sahara - Join us on a Safari Tour, see links below:

Why not consider tailoring your own tour to Morocco and make use of reliable drivers and guides, plus assistance in choosing tried and trusted accommodation? See more Here and Here

October Days

A bit of a blogfest right now as I have a window to play catch-up on my blog! So my apologies in advance, for what might seem like a deluge of blogs! I guess October is one of those in between kind of months, a period in time when migrants heading south have largely been and gone, whilst it is still a tadge early for our regular winter visitors to arrive, well at least this early into the month. And yet there is still so much to enjoy in the local mountains, butterflies, dragonflies and newly emerged plant life, a time of plenty for the nature enthusiast.

Thekla Lark

Here are just a few photographs of the past week here and I hope you enjoy this latest collection, all taken using the Canon PowerShot SX50. I am still feeling my way with this camera and like all good men, I haven’t yet read the manual… who knows what I might get around to taking photos of once I've done the manual? Anyway a few efforts below and I need help with some ids if folk can help?

Andalucian Bush Cricket

Epaulet Skimmer

Narsissus cavanillesii

Marsh Frog

Pied Flycatcher

Desert Darter.

Speckled Wood - much brighter here than N.Europe

Western Willow Spreadwing [Chalcolestes viridis].

Finally a local scene!

For more information on the Serrania de Ronda, Sierra de Grazalema please visit our website HERE

Morocco Birding Sept/October 2013

White-crowned Black Wheatear

I get to count my blessings that both companies and individuals like to have me guide for them whilst visiting Morocco. I love this wonderful country, the scenery, the wildlife and the people. Each visit cultivates the passion I have for Morocco. Increasingly I am involved in guiding people who are putting together their own itinerary and tailoring the holiday to suit themselves, of course with help from myself and associate companies. On this occasion I had the very real pleasure of accompanying visitors from America and showing them their wish list and more, thank you Bruce and Brenda…

Barbary Macaque monkey

Bruce and Brenda had designed their tour to get the most out of local culture, history and of course wildlife, so the route involved some fairly long days, but always the interest was held by the variety of subject and scenery. They were also able to add days both before and after their guided time with me, always a good idea to enjoy time on your own! The chosen route involved meeting-up in Fez, where our intrepid travellers enjoyed the ancient souk, before proceeding to Midelt, then into the Erg Chebbi sand dune complex of the Moroccan Sahara. After the spectacle of the dunes we struck out to the west and visited the stone deserts around Boumalne de Dades, staying in one of my favourite Kasbahs. Next up we travelled across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, then on to Tiznit for a couple of days in and around the Oued Massa. Then it was back to Marrakech and a parting of the ways, although Bruce and Brenda were to spend three more days unaccompanied, other than with our driver, in Morocco.

Moussier's Redstart

The journey from Fez incorporated a lunch stop at Ilfrane and allowed for us to visit the very picturesque area Forét de Cedres, an ancient forest and home to Barbary Macaque monkey, as well as one or two specialist birds we were in search of. At this point it is probably best to give the reader an idea of Bruce’s wish list: Bald Ibis (seen), Marbled Teal (not seen), Barbary Partridge (seen), Double-spurred Francolin (not seen), Houbara Bustard (not seen), Cream-colored Courser (not seen), Crowned Sandgrouse (only Black-bellied seen), Red-necked Nightjar (not seen), Egyptian Nightjar (seen), Barbary Falcon (seen), Greater Hoopoe-Lark (seen), Bar-tailed Lark (not seen), Thick-billed Lark (not seen), Lesser Short-toed Lark (seen), Dunn's Lark (not seen), Thekla Lark (seen), Wood Lark (seen), Temminck's Lark (seen), African Blue Tit (seen), Iberian Chiffchaff (seen), Fulvous Chatterer (seen), Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin (not seen), Atlas Flycatcher (seen) and Moussier's Redstart (seen). Various reasons, not excuses, contributed to the not seen list, mainly we visited the wrong areas or birds had already passed through on migration, of course some species are just plain difficult too!

Brown-necked Raven

The journey from Midelt to Merzouga took us over the Atlas Mountains and through some magnificent scenery. High in the mountains we found Black and Seebohm’s Wheatear as well as a number of Ruddy Shelduck around the high lagoons. Moussier’s Redstart were fairly frequent in scrub areas, whilst a Barbary Falcon gave a showing in the high pass. We listed a number of prime species during the day and managed to see our bonus bird the Pharaoh’s Eagle Owl, superb. Arriving at our hotel we were greeted by a gang of Fulvous Babbler (Chatterer) and both Spotted and Pied Flycatcher. The grounds produced odd passerines such as Sub-alpine Warbler, Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail, but during our two nights here Bruce managed to locate the highly prized Egyptian Nightjar, a great find and an extremely rare bird in Morocco. Our journeys into the surrounding desert were hard work, but we did manage one or two target larks including Desert Lark, plus the odd Brown-necked Raven, always good to see and seems to be increasing in the southern deserts.

Erg Chebbi dune complex

Heading westwards we made our way to Boumalne de Dades and giving ourselves time we had to show off the Todra Gorge, spectacular despite becoming a bit of a tourist trap. Grey Wagtail and Crag Martin showed well here as well as House Bunting and Blue Rock Thrush, used to be a time when Bonelli’s Eagle could be seen here, but I’ve not observed it here for the last 5 or more years! After lunching in the gorge we drive to Boumalne and allowed time for a slow recce in the area of the famous Tagdilt Track. We managed a few target birds here including Greater Hoopoe Lark, Temminck’s Lark and other regulars such as Trumpeter Finch, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Greater Short-toed Lark. Some of Bruce’s must see birds were also seen and one of the showiest was Red-rumped Wheatear, a large member of a great family of birds! Migrants were apparent with Pied Flycatcher and Common Redstart very common in the riverside (Dades) wadi. We dipped on Cream-coloured Courser here and in Merzouga, but I think they must have dispersed westwards already.

Greater Hoopoe Lark

Our next destination was Marrakech, so important to get an early start that would allow for various excursions en route. We drove through the beautiful Valley of Roses and made good time that allowed an off road desert drive seeking Thick-billed Lark, however the best we managed was a couple of close-ups of Spectacled Warbler! Miles from water we had the bizarre experience of seeing Osprey perched on a tall pylon in the middle of sand desert, also we were treated to some absolutely beautiful male Desert Wheatears. The odd flock of Eurasian Bee eater brightened our journey and eventually, whilst crossing the High Atlas, we found African Blue Tit for Bruce. Long-legged Buzzard also showed well and there seemed to be a clear demarcation between southerly White-crowned Black Wheatear and its higher altitude cousin Black Wheatear. Entering the city of Marrakech the birding never stopped with both Little and Pallid Swift wheeling around in the skies above the metropolis, Booted Eagle soared above the hotel to the sound of Common Bulbul as groups ransacked empty restaurant tables…

Northern Bald Ibis

Tiznit was our next stop for a 2 night visit. It would give us time to visit the area surrounding the Oued Massa as well as a visit or 2 to the Oued Sous, a superb estuary in danger of disappearing under pressure from development, but to date a worthwhile birding area. Our first day was spent at the Oued Sous, where we had great view of Barbary Falcon and Black-winged Kite as well as a plentiful supply of waders/shorebirds, but the star for the day was an adult Isabeline Wheatear, just a stunning bird. Stone Curlew were found in their normal haunt near to Oued Massa, whilst a 2 year old Bonelli’s Eagle hunted over the reeds near to the shoreline. Our first full day was dedicated to finding Northern Bald Ibis and after what seemed an age we finally found a group of c.50 birds on the cliff tops north of the Massa, looking towards Agadir we spotted another, much larger group of around 150 birds, so in total we were observing almost half of the world’s population, amazing! Our next day involved heading back to Marrakech, but not before exploring the upper reaches of the Oued Massa where we eventually caught-up with another must see bird for Bruce the elusive Black-crowned Tchagra.

Barbary Squirrel

Full species listing will appear in a separate blog.

Why not consider tailoring your own tour to Morocco and make use of reliable drivers and guides, plus assistance in choosing tried and trusted accommodation? See more Here and Here

The Moroccan Sahara

Birding, Birdfair and Nature!

Normally the months of July and August present quieter times for me, too hot for much in the way of day tours, spare time to go out and about searching and photographing, but also time to catch-up on that dark beast paperwork! I am not the world’s best or worst at getting down to outstanding tasks such as correspondence, newsletters, tour organising, photo filing and generally doing things that require effort and brain power, but I confess I tend to put off these tedious tasks until absolutely necessary! Just plain lazy I guess.

July saw me deliberately ignoring the boring stuff and taking any day trips I could manage, but when I had a free day it was out and about rather than do the decent thing and play catch-up on administration work. Also I had suffered through from April, first with pneumonia (twice), packing-up smoking and, due to the antibiotics for the pneumonia, my resistance was low and I got shingles, ouch!! I kept working though and that landed me in trouble with the doc. Oh well, life carried on and somehow it was work and spending time in the countryside that helped me forget my pain and illness. Together with a very painful tooth infection, my body did it’s best to conspire against enjoying myself too much, but I guess we all pass through difficult times every now and again.

Tracy, me, Manu and José Luis

August saw a continuation with problem teeth and shingles, but the big difference was both were becoming less of a problem and with preparing for the UK Birdfair, future tours and a few day tours I was able to work and forget the troubles. What a great experience it was working towards the Birdfair with Tracy our graphics designer and friend, also my colleagues Manu Mojarro and José Luis Sánchez, we prepared well and I was very happy with the design of our first ever stand at the fair. One of the great attractions to the Birdfair is meeting all kinds of friends, old friends, work friends and new friends! Of course being able to market our association of guides was pleasing and receiving accolades about representing the soul of wildlife in Andalucia was reward enough for our joint efforts.

Mark Avery makes it two old war horses together!

Rick from Wader Quest and David Lindo (The Urban Birder) pop by for merriment.

Our autumn season seems to draw ever closer as so many familiar summer birds start their long migration south into Africa. Bee eaters are currently passing in their thousands, whilst raptors are also joining the flow southward with many recent sightings of Honey Buzzard flocks gracing our skies. All good signs for our upcoming autumn migration tour which starts on the 8th September! Still, as exciting as autumn migration is, it is also sad to see so many birds departing our shores and heralding an end to summer. I did manage a few trips out with my now ever present Canon SX50, so as is becoming a regular feature of my blogs now, I finish with a collection of recent photographs with the point and shoot… hope you like them.

Cicada taking an upside down view!

Marsh Frog wanting a kiss!

Red-veined Darter (imm male).

Marbled White

To join me on one of my day trips in the Serrania de Ronda, why not take a look at the day description here and if you like what you see then contact me.

Doñana - The shame of Doñana - No.2

It would appear the posts by me regarding the Doñana must be having some affect, though not sure if it is all together very pleasant on a personal basis. Had this recent piece of communication on a social media site:

(The original blog can be found HERE)

Amazing, you make an observation and comment on it then abuse comes hurling back! Some really sad people out there, the topic concerned a visitors centre (Dehesa de Abajo) which had been renovated and stood empty for a long time.... Comments went:

June Taylor. Love this place

Peter Jones. Great, but yet to find this huge investment open!!!

June Taylor. It's been open for a couple of months and it's well worth a visit.

Peter Jones. Good to hear June, renovation work was expensive and then it stood closed for a very very long time, which seemed typically crazy.

Dehesa de Abajo. Peter Jones, if my country is always for you such a bloody disater , why the hell are you living here yet? Don´t you prefer somewhere else, verbigracia lovely UK? (verbigracia = for example)

Peter Jones. What a nice man / person you are. And who precisely has said your country is always such a disaster?? If I thought that then certainly I would not live here. You extremely sad person.

I thought this was quite an extraordinary outburst from a public office and totally over the top. Then again it is encouraging as it means those within the park have read the original blog on Doñana!