First record of the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus) for Algeria, plus a number of other good rarities at the border of the Western Palearctic.
During a birding trip to southern Algeria (wilaya of Bordj Baji Mokhtar) last autumn, members of the Algerian Wildlife Watchers Association (AWWA) documented the first Northern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus) for the country. The team was composed by Bachir (Mourad) Harzallah, Khaled Ayyach, Aimene Boulaouad and Mohamed Missoum
The first bird was photographed in the centre of Timiaouine on 13 October 2022. It was observed entering a nest hole in a house, which indicate the species is most likely breeding at the site.
Two days later, a second bird was observed in a vegetated valley located just some km south-east of Tawendert.
Note that both sites are south of the Western Palearctic limit sensu BWP.
Other very interesting species
In the same visit, the group documented several interesting species, some of which are very rare.
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis): two groups (of 7 and 18 birds) and a single bird between 12 and 14 October.
Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus): two birds on 14 October.
Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus): three groups (7-8 birds) on 14 October 2022.
White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis): more than 20 birds observed on 13 and 14 October. Second record for Algeria.
African Grey Woodpecker (Dendropicos goertae): three individuals on 14 October 2022. Second record for Algeria.
Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix nigriceps): three observations (of 1 to 4 birds) between 11 and 13 October.
Cricket Warbler (Spiloptila clamans): more than a dozen of individuals, including a recently fledged juvenile, between 12 and 14 October. First records and first breeding of the species in the country. Read: Cricket Warbler breeds in Algeria.
Black Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas podobe): two birds on 14 October.
Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus): three flocks (of 6–40 birds) between 11 and 13 October.
