Index of birding news that are of interest to Western Palearctic birders. These include, among others, ‘mega rarities’ found in Northwest African, potential vagrants to the WP from adjacent areas, and other interesting articles.
Other birding news and national rarities (including many “first national records”) are filed under their respective country.
First record of Lesser Moorhen for Morocco and Northwest Africa. Première mention de la Gallinule africaine pour le Maroc et le Maghreb. — An immature Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata) was observed at the Aoulouz bridge, Morocco, during an Oriole Birding trip. “The bird was seen on 15 March 2025 at about 11:20 for several minutes […]
First record of Lesser Moorhen for Morocco Read More »
Since mid-December, four rare North American bird species have been observed in various parts of Morocco. Quatre espèces d’oiseaux rares de l’Amérique du Nord observées au Maroc en décembre : un Fuligule à tête noire (ou Petit fuligule), deux Sarcelles à ailes bleues, trois Canards à front blanc (ou Canard d’Amérique) et un Pluvier bronzé.
Four North American rarities in Morocco Read More »
A Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) found at Oued Martil, northern Morocco. It’s the third national record. Une Macreuse brune observée à Oued Martil, au nord du Maroc. C’est la troisième observation dans le pays. — While birding at Oued Martil, near the city of Tétouan on 18 November 2024, the local birder Othman Amalal discovered
Velvet Scoter at Oued Martil, northern Morocco Read More »
Breeding of the Sudan Golden Sparrow in southern Morocco finally confirmed. La nidification du Moineau doré enfin confirmée dans le sud du Maroc. — The Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) was first recorded in Morocco in 2009, specifically in the Aousserd region. The primary observation site, which is the famed Oued Jenna, has since become
Sudan Golden Sparrow breeds in Morocco Read More »
First record of Pygmy Sunbird (Hedydipna platura) for Algeria. La première observation du Souimanga pygmée dans l’Algérie. — During a birding trip in autumn 2023 to southern Algeria, members of Écocirta Association, in coordination with the local Tijem Association*, documented the first Pygmy Sunbird for the country. The group photographed a male and a female
First Pygmy Sunbird for Algeria Read More »
First record of the African Green Bee-eater (Merops viridissimus) in Algeria. La première observation du Guêpier vert en Algérie. — During a birding trip to the Wilaya (Province) of In-Guezzam adjacent to Mali, members of the Algerian Wildlife Watchers Association (AWWA) documented another new species for Algeria. On 4 November 2023, the birding party photographed two African
First African Green Bee-eater for Algeria Read More »
A singing Little Bunting observed at Oued Massa, southern Morocco. This is the fourth national record. Un Bruant nain chanteur observé à Oued Massa en avril. Il s’agit de la quatrième mention de l’espèce pour le Maroc. — The Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) was found by Sönke Tautz at Oued Massa, near the edge of
Singing Little Bunting at Oued Massa, Morocco Read More »
First breeding record of the Cricket Warbler (Spiloptila clamans) in Algeria. Premier cas de reproduction de la Prinia à front écailleux en Algérie. — A birding trip by members of the Algerian Wildlife Watchers Association (AWWA) to the Wilaya (Province) of Bordj Badji Mokhtar in the south of Algeria produced the first record of Cricket
Cricket Warbler breeds in southern Algeria Read More »
First breeding record of the House Bunting (Emberiza sahari) in Spain and Europe. By: Antonio Jesús Sepúlveda & Julio Ortega (Tumbabuey). The appearance of the House Bunting as an African vagrant in the Iberian Peninsula dates back to a decade and a half ago, with a first record in 2009 in the town of Tarifa.
House Bunting breeds in Europe for the first time Read More »
The return of Golden Nightjar, Sudan Golden Sparrow, and other Aousserd interesting birds after they had been missing for the last few years. Understandably, their absence during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was due to travel restrictions. Some birders who visited the Aousserd region last year did miss some of the Western Palearctic rarities
Golden Nightjar, Sudan Golden Sparrow at Aousserd Read More »