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 »
A big flock of Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) was photographed a few days ago in the Tamanrasset region, southern Algeria (Soufyane Bekkouche). A Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus) was also photographed in the same area. The birds were photographed at a village in the Tin-Zaouten district, located in the south of Tamanghasset province. The village
Big flock of Sudan Golden Sparrow at Tamanrasset, Algeria Read More »
The Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) slowly colonising new sites in Morocco. However, not all these ‘colonies’ are comparable: while some are large enough and stable, others consist only of a few breeding pairs. (But the latter will probably grow if the right conditions are present; for instance, enough immigrants are recruited to the colony during
Breeding of Black-headed Gull at Dayet Dar Bouazza, Morocco Read More »
Tawny Eagle photographed in Algeria for the first time in several years. The eagle was photographed this week in north-east Algeria by Mourad Harzallah (a very good naturalist, teacher, and a local ecotourism guide). It’s much bigger than the Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata), and some photos below also attest this. Several people in a FB
Tawny Eagle in north-east Algeria Read More »