In the Palearctic, the Striped Ground Squirrel is only present in Morocco. Despite being relatively large and diurnal, the species remained poorly known since it was discovered in the country. A new study shed more light on this mammal species. The striped ground squirrel (Euxerus erythropus) is widely distributed in the Sudano-Guinean savannah, between the […]
Striped Ground Squirrel in Morocco – hidden in plain sight Read More »
A short report about a pelagic trip off Agadir on 30 October 2017 by Arnoud B. van den Berg: “More than a month ago, high numbers of six shearwater species were seen on a Limosa pelagic trip c 15 km offshore from Agadir, Atlantic Morocco. No wind, so most were floating on the water. Also
Seawatching off Agadir, Morocco, 30 October 2017 Read More »
The breeding of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) in the last wild population in southern Morocco has been exceptional during the last few years. With this breeding output, the establishment of new breeding colonies was expected for some time now. The productivity ranged between 1 and 1.7 fledged chicks per breeding pair, and the overall
New Northern Bald Ibis breeding sites discovered in Morocco Read More »
Four Yellow-browed Warblers (Phylloscopus inornatus) have been recorded so far this season: – 1 bird found at Melilla on 15 October by Francisco José Pérez Ruiz and Francisco Arias Nicolás. – 1 bird found at Missour, Moyenne Moulouya on 22 October by Geoffrey Monchaux (Geoffrey said the homologation form already sent to the MRBC, Merci!)
Yellow-browed Warblers in Morocco in autumn 2017 Read More »
Dispersion and overwintering of Spanish Imperial Eagles (Aquila adalberti) in Morocco, and northern Africa in general, is becoming regular and in relatively good numbers (for an endangered ‘sedentary’ species). As in previous years, this autumn at least 4 eagles crossed the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa. We say “at least” because not every bird
Spanish Imperial Eagle dispersion in North Africa in 2017 Read More »
Census of vultures and other raptors in the 2017 prenuptial migration on the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, Jbel Moussa – Morocco During the spring migration of 2017 at Jbel Moussa, and depending on the prevailing weather conditions and in particular with moderate westerlies, the census was carried out during 64 days from
Spring raptor migration at Jbel Moussa in 2017 (report) Read More »
During a recent 3-hour tour between Oued Bou-Issafene and the Fort Bou Jerif track in Guelmim region, Karim Laïdi, Juan Navarro Rodriguez and Brahim Bakass recorded 23 Atlas Long-legged Buzzard, 2 Golden Eagles and 1 Lanner Falcon. The majority of these birds were juveniles (1cy) and immatures. Along the same transect, they found 3 recently electrocuted
Raptor electrocutions at Guelmim continue Read More »
The Algerian Nuthatch population has declined at one of its main breeding areas according to a study published recently. In this guest-blog, the lead author, Riadh Moulaï, shares with us the main results of the study. En français, voir au dessus de la vidéo. The Algerian Nuthatch (Sitta ledanti) is endemic to Algeria, and it’s
Algerian Nuthatch status and breeding biology at the Guerrouch forest Read More »
During one of his marine surveys off the Moroccan coast, Andy Williams photographed a Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) flying c. 30 km off Agadir on 23 March 2013. However, he could not get access to the photos from the trip for a long time until last summer (see Andy’s comment below). The ‘WP reports’ (Ławicki &
First record of Black-capped Petrel for Morocco Read More »
A White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) was observed on 5, 6 and 8 July 2017 at Jbel Moussa, northern Morocco (Rachid El Khamlichi). The bird was flying in the area with 4 Rüppell’s (Gyps rueppelli) and Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus). This would be the second record for Morocco if accepted by the Moroccan Birds Rare Committee
White-backed Vulture at Jbel Moussa, Morocco Read More »