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 »
Yet another ‘big day’ for raptor migration (especially vultures) at the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. Last Friday, Rachid El Khamlichi, Cécile Krystelle and Radu Adrian counted: 2700 Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus). We are now used to seeing such big numbers crossing the Strait in late autumn (October/November). 4 Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus).
4 Cinereous Vultures crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in one day Read More »
A Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) captured and ringed at Ceuta on 7 November 2017 by the Chagra Ringing Group. It’s the first record for the city and the third for Morocco. There are two confirmed records in Morocco: one captured and ringed at Souss-Massa National Park in October 2013 (Ramírez et al. 2013), and another
Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) at Ceuta Read More »
At least two Olive-backed Pipits (Anthus hodgsoni) were found at Rabat on 5 November 2017 by Pedro Fernandes. This is the 6th record for Morocco. Au moins deux – peut-être trois – Pipits à dos olive dans le Jardin d’Essais Botanique à Rabat le 5 novembre 2017 (Pedro Fernandes). C’est la 6ème mention pour le
Olive-backed Pipits (Anthus hodgsoni) at Rabat Read More »
On 18 May 2017, Rachid observed an immature Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) at Jbel Moussa. The bird was migrating northward along with Short-toed Snake Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) and Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) at an altitude of about 1500 m. This is the first record for Morocco. In the Maghreb, the species was previously recorded in
First record of Steppe Eagle for Morocco Read More »
The 22nd report of the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee (MRBC) was published last May. In 2016, the MRBC examined 117 new records of which 99 were accepted. These included the first Moroccan record of Lesser x Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina x Clanga clanga), the second of both Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) and Masked Booby
Rare birds in Morocco: 22nd report of the MRBC Read More »
A Pied Crow (Corvus albus) was photographed at Oum Azza, south-east of Rabat on 1 May 2017 by Petteri Lehikoinen and his group. The coordinates of the ‘village’ are: 33.8808333, -6.7858333 Since most of the birds seen in other regions are/were long-time residents, I think counting the localities where the species has been recorded is
Pied Crow (Corvus albus) near Rabat, Morocco Read More »
The Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) breeds in northern North America (Canada and Alaska) and northern Siberia, and winters in southern South America, southeastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. It’s one of the most observed Nearctic species in Western Europe and also in parts of the west coast of Africa. For example, the species was removed
First records of Pectoral Sandpiper for Algeria Read More »
The Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) was introduced at Tamanrasset around 1940. It’s also present at El-Goléa, northern Sahara, since at least 1972 (Isenmann & Moali 2000). Currently, the species still present at the known sites cited above. Tamanrasset, Tamanrasset Province: The species is still present in the town and it’s easily seen there in good
Expansion of Red-billed Firefinch in Algeria Read More »