Ibis chauve au Maroc: Zoom sur la dernière population sauvage

Colonie de l’Ibis chauve (Geronticus eremita) au Maroc

L’ibis chauve (Geronticus eremita) est une espèce d’oiseau en danger critique d’extinction, du fait de ses faibles effectifs et de son aire de répartition réduite. Aujourd’hui, la dernière population sauvage reproductrice au monde occupe la bande littorale atlantique du sud-ouest marocain, au niveau du Parc National Souss-Massa (PNSM) et des falaises de Tamri. Depuis 1991,

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Rüppell’s Vulture wing-tagged at Jbel Moussa, Morocco

Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) wing-tagged and released at Jbel Moussa, northern Morocco (Sept 2016).

Marquage d’un Vautour de Rüppell dans le cadre du programme de marquage des vautours par des marques alaires au Maroc (voir au-dessous de la vidéo). Over five thousands Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) migrate through northern Morocco twice a year, and an increasing number of Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppelli) are also migrating through the region (a paradox,

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صيادون يقتلون النسر الأسمر المحمي في شمال المغرب

نسر أسمر قتله صيادون في شمال المغرب، نوفمبر 2016

Hunters shot dead a Griffon Vulture in northern Morocco and its consequences (See below the photo). مرة أخرى النسر الأسمر يقع ضحية صياد جاهل أو مغرور. لمذا قتل؟ هل يؤكل كما يؤكل الحجل مثلاً، أم أنه طائر ضار قد أضر بالفلاحة وما إلى ذلك؟ لا ثم لا. هذا الطائر و جميع انواع النسور الاخرى تتغذى

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Northern Bald Ibis crossing between Spain and Morocco

Colour-ringed Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) from the reintroduction project in Andalusia, Spain observed at Merja Bergha, Morocco, May 2007 (Todor Todorov).

The only viable wild population of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) exists in Morocco. The tiny wild population in Syrian desert is unfortunately on the verge of extinction. There is also a semi-wild population in Turkey. In Europe, there are two reintroduction projects: one in Austria and Germany (Waldrapp Project), and another in Andalusia, Spain

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Vulture migration at the Strait of Gibraltar, November 2016

Scopoli's Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) migrating between container ships, Strait of Gibraltar, 2 Nov 2016 (Juan Ramírez Román)

The following describes the experience of Juan Ramírez Román and his friend Antonio Román Muñoz in northern Morocco. They visited the area around Jbel Moussa between 2 and 4 November to witness vulture migration. Afterwrd, they also made a short visit to lower Loukkos marshes. Both the English summary and the detailed Spanish version below

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First record of Baird’s Sandpiper for Morocco

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii), Zemamra, Morocco, 28 Oct 2016 (Benoît Maire)

Yet another productive birding trip to Zemamra – located some km inland from Oualidia – this autumn. A Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) was photographed at this site by Benoît Maire on 28 October 2016. Three weeks earlier, an American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) was photographed there by the same observer. The Baird’s Sandpiper observation would

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Birding at Oualidia region, Atlantic coast of Morocco

Great Egret (Grande aigrette - Casmerodius albus), Sidi Moussa, Atlantic Morocco, 19 Oct 2016 (Ruth Garcia Gorria)

Birding at Oualidia region is always interesting and rewarding. Below we cite some rare birds observed at Sidi Moussa-Oualidia wetland complex and adjacent areas. Of course, no need to repeat that the “star bird” of the region is the Andalusian Buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus). – A Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) at Oualidia saltpans, plus an American

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