The invasion of the Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) continues in Morocco. Certainly, the invasion is not as fast as in some countries like Mexico. Also, the numbers of birds are not increasing dramatically like in Spain where the species is considered now a as a plague in some major cities. But the signs of the […]
Monk Parakeet invasion continues: now breeding at Rabat Read More »
A South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) was observed yesterday, 16 September, on the Moroccan waters by Bob Flood and Ashley Fisher from a ferry traveling from Lanzarote to Cádiz. The bird was observed at about 50 nautical miles off Safi, approximately where the red dot is on the map below (calculated on the basis of
South Polar Skua off Safi, Morocco: second national record Read More »
As in the case of the Kordofan Lark, this blog-post deals also with another potential vagrant to the Western Palearctic region: the Horus Swift (Apus horus). In January 2018, Frédéric Bacuez and Bram Piot discovered about 18 Horus Swifts at the Doué river, located in northernmost Senegal. The identification, however, was not easy at the
Horus Swift: a potential Western Palearctic vagrant Read More »
The historical breeding range of Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) in Morocco extended from Tangier to the marshes of Sidi Moussa-Oualidia – and possibly as far south as Chiadma region (Essaouira). While currently the species breed only on coastal area, in the past it bred inland as well (east to around Meknès). Currently, almost the whole
Marsh Owls in Morocco south of its core breeding area Read More »
Two Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) photographed at Ichkeul National Park, northern Tunisia on 28 December 2013 (Mohamed El Golli). Mohamed took the photo against the light, and from a distance the birds appeared dark like Common Ravens. The photo was then ignored until discovered in his archive last month. The species is a rarity in
Hooded Crows at Ichkeul National Park, Tunisia Read More »
Montagu’s Harrier satellite-tracked from France found dead in Morocco, most likely shot by hunters/poachers. Un Busard cendré suivi par balise GPS de la France est trouvé mort au Maroc, très probablement abattu par des braconniers (En français au-dessous de la 2ème photo). A Montagu’s Harrier satellite-tracked by the Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé and partners
French Montagu’s Harrier shot dead in Morocco Read More »
Wing-tagging and release of Cinereous, Griffon and Rüppell’s vultures at Jbel Moussa on 17 August 2018. This operation was organised by the Moroccan Forestry Administration (HCEFLCD) in collaboration with a number of national institutions and NGOs. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) This bird was found at Khmis Anjra, located some 30 Km south of the Strait
Wing-tagging of Cinereous, Griffon and Rüppell’s vultures at Jbel Moussa Read More »
An Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) was photographed in spring 2017 at El Haouaria, northern Tunisia (Mohamed El Golli). El Haouaria, located at the extreme north-east of the Cap Bon peninsula, is known as a major point for migratory raptors following the Central Mediterranean Flyway (continental Italy-Sicily-Tunisia). In our opinion, this is the first record
First record of Eastern Imperial Eagle for Tunisia and Northwest Africa Read More »
At the Strait of Gibraltar, some birds are still migrating northward as late as August or even September in some extreme cases (see one of these under the Rüppell’s Vulture text here). However, the northward migration, for all intents and purposes, is over by the end of July (see for example, Garcia & Bensusan 2006).
Migration of rare vultures at Jbel Moussa, spring 2018 Read More »
Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus) photographed in the Tamanrasset region, southern Algeria. This is the first national record of the species. Première observation du Coliou huppé en Algérie (en français voir au dessous de la photo). The Blue-naped Mousebird was photographed and filmed at a village in the Tin-Zaouten district, located in the south of Tamanghasset
First record of Blue-naped Mousebird for Algeria Read More »