A MOROCCAN ADVENTURE

Our birding trip to Morocco started in the Agadir area before motoring South to the Desert areas of Guelmin spending some time on route at Soussa Massa.The next and last leg of our short trip involved climbing the tortuous roads of the High Atlas to reach the ski resort at Oukaimeden.

In excess of 142 species were seen with a personal 'lifer' tally of 32. Notable species seen which are not mentioned later were Thekla Lark, Brown-necked Raven, Cirl Bunting, Tristam's Warbler, Crag Martin, Brown-throated Sand Martin, Long-legged Buzzard and Cream-coloured Courser.

My choice for the most memorable event of the trip, apart from the driving skills (or lack of) of the Moroccan drivers, was seeing at close quarters the 500 or so Black Kites spiralling down to roost during the early evening.

THE COLOURFUL BIRDS OF MOROCCO

COMMON BULBUL, MOROCCO

The ubiquitous Common Bulbul.

BALD IBIS, MOROCCO

Bald Ibis, costal fields North of Agadir.
One of the regions most threatened species.

GREY WAGTAIL, MOROCCO

Grey Wagtail

BLACK WHEATEAR, MOROCCO

Black Wheatear, North of Agadir

SARDINIAN WARBLER, MOROCCO

Sardinian Warbler

BLACK -CROWNED TCHAGRA, MOROCCO

Black-crowned Tchagra, area of Soussa Massa.
Much searching needed to see this shy and elusive species.
Although we looked for some hours for our first sighting, we accidently came upon the second species of the day!

KESTREL, MOROCCO

Kestrel 

MOUSSIER'S REDSTART, MOROCCO

Female
These attractive Redstarts are widespread in much of Morocco.

GREY HERON, MOROCCO

 Grey Herons at Soussa Massa

TRUMPETER FINCH , MOROCCO

Trumpeter Finch, near Guelmin

HOOPOE LARK, MOROCCO

Hoopoe Lark, near Guelmin

DESERT WHEATEAR, MOROCCO

Desert Wheatears, near Guelmin

TEMMINCK'S LARK, MOROCCO

Temminck's Lark, near Guelmin
Other desert species seen were Thick-billed Lark, Bar-tailed Desert Lark, White-crowned Black Wheatear, Red-rumped Wheatear and Meghreb Wheatear.

SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE, MOROCCO

Southern Grey Shrike

BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE, MOROCCO

 Black-bellied Sandgrouse. When seen on the ground was in the company of a single Spotted Sandgrouse and two other Black-bellied

THE ATLAS MOUNTAIN ROADS, MOROCCO

Climbing the Atlas Mountains on our way to Oukaimeden. Note the barrier free roads which all look very scenic in day light. NOT SO MUCH FUN WHEN  LOST IN THE DARKNESS LATER IN THE DAY!

MOUNTAINS AT OUKAIMEDEN, MOROCCO

Oukaimeden stands at approximately 8900 feet. The low temperature in early morning was certainly a challenge with repect to photography; exposed fingers only operating for about 5 shots before  needing some extra warmth. Other species, apart from those below,  seen at this altitude were Rock Sparrow, Atlas Shore Lark, African Blue Tit and Levaillant's Green Woodpecker.

CRIMSON-WINGED FINCH, OUKAIMEDEN, MOROCCO

Crimson-winged Finch

CHOUGH, OUKAIMEDEN, MOROCCO

About 300 Choughs often flying at the same time as about 200 Alpine Choughs produced a memorable and spectacular view with the snow covered mountains as a backdrop.

ALPINE CHOUGH , OUKAIMEDEN, MOROCCO

One of about 200 Alpine Choughs

THE AGED POPULATION, MOROCCO

The age of some of our group certainly fitted in with the locals

Common Yellowthroat, Rhiwerin, Gwent, Wales

This is NOT the Yellowthroat we saw in Wales but an adult male seen in Canada some months ago.
The first winter male in Gwent was eventually seen after 3 1/2 hours searching but only for a total viewing time of about 3 seconds. Its extremely elusive nature precluded any photographic opportunities.

Cormorant

Cormorant on the ice at Welland Bank, Lincs

Goosanders

Male and Female Goosander. Total number at Welland Bank, Lincs about 30