An adult Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) found and photographed today, 25 January, at the fish factory of Anza near Agadir by Arie Ouwerkerk and Jacob Jan de Vries.
As we known, the observation of Kelp Gull in Morocco is more likely at Khniffiss lagoon and along the nearby coast. So such sightings in more northern latitudes are real rarities.
Anza proves rewarding not only for the concentration of large numbers of European gulls – many with colour-rings – but also for rarities such as this one.
Dear Maghrebornitho and Arie,
Can you help me to find this fish factory in Anza city on the map? Or what is the exact arabic name of the place? We are going to visit north Morocco in mid-January and birding the area where good and rare birds occurred in the past few years.
Many Thanks & Best wishes
Zsombor Berenyi
Budapest, BirdLife Hungary
Hi Zsombor,
Anza is located just north of Agadir Port and is really easy to find. Anza probably means ‘rain’ in the Berber language. That said.
The site hosts several thousands of birds, mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls but also small number of other species as well.
The site is very known and visited regularly by birders and gull ringers to read colour-rings. A quick search brought these links for example:
https://gullstothehorizon.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/reading-ringed-lesser-black-backed-gulls-in-morocco-january-2017/
http://urbanringing.blogspot.com/2013/11/finally-anza-again.html
http://guernseygulls.blogspot.com/2010/12/morocco-agadir-gulls-part-1.html
I wish you a nice visit and birding!
Mohamed