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.
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 …
A Golden Nightjar (Caprimulgus eximius) was observed crossing the road between Dakhla and Aousserd and hit by the observers’ car and died on 3 May 2015 (J. Dyczkowski & R. Smykala). This is the first confirmed record for Morocco and the Western Palearctic. This interesting record confirms once more that the Aousserd region is one of the best birding …
Golden Nightjar at Aousserd: first Western Palearctic record Read More »
During a short stop at the rubbish dump of Fnideq, we discovered a Pied Crow (Corvus albus) among many Northern Ravens (Corvus corax) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis). We should note that the behaviour of the crow we saw was that of a perfectly wild bird. It was very shy as it’s the first to …
Pied Crow at Fnideq, northern Morocco (2015-2020) Read More »
A male Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) was photographed yesterday at a drinking site near Bir Anzarane, about 140 Km north-east of Dakhla, southern Morocco. The species was recorded during a scientific trip coordinated by the Association Nature Initiative (A.N.I). Abdeljebbar Qninba first saw and identified the species, Abdelaziz Benhoussa, Mohamed Ibn Tattou, Mohamed Laghdaf Khayya, Hicham El …
Sudan Golden Sparrows at Bir Anzarane, Western Sahara Read More »
An American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) found at Kenitra, northwest Morocco on 15 November 2014. This is the first record for Morocco and Northwest Africa. Thomas S. Lahlafi, who reported the news, commented: “The bird found very weak in the city of Kenitra three days ago by my uncle, and was collected to his garden. …
First record of American Purple Gallinule for Morocco Read More »
A mega Western Palearctic rarity! Yesterday, we reported the observation of 3 Rüppell’s Vultures at a carcass near Tétouan, northern Morocco. Today, we went back to the site and to our great pleasure we found a White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) with the other birds that roosted locally the previous night. At our arrival at the …
First White-backed Vulture for Morocco and North Africa Read More »
It seems like these Rüppell’s Vultures are following our footsteps. This time, we didn’t even go to see them. They literally crossed our path! Early morning today, we went to Smir wetland for our usual birding and also to survey the local heronry to see the progression of the breeding season of the Eurasian Spoonbill …
After the observation of 3 Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppellii) at Jbel Bouhachem in the afternoon of 10 May. Next day (11 May) we went to Jbel Moussa on the Strait of Gibraltar to observe bird migration with the hope of seeing the Rüppell’s again (we literally wanted to intercept them at the Strait, because we …
7 Rüppell’s Vultures in northern Morocco in 2 days Read More »
Three different Rüppell’s Vultures observed at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco. This is a real unexpected bonus as the site is a bit inland from the Strait of Gibraltar where the vultures normally gather. Just a few days ago, we talked about watching the spectacle of bird migration at Jbel Moussa on the Strait of Gibraltar. …
3 Rüppell’s Vultures at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco Read More »
A White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis) was observed at ‘Gleb Jdiane’, Oued Dahab, on 5 and 6 December 2013 by Noëlle and Hervé Jacob (see the short video). This would be the first record for Morocco if accepted by the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee (MRBC). There was no previous observation of White-throated Bee-eater in the Western …
First White-throated Bee-eater for the Western Palearctic Read More »