The first proven breeding of Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in Africa was found at an islet of Barrage Al-Massira in 2002 (Radi et al. 2004; Thévenot et al. 2004). Soon after, the species started to colonise other wetlands in Morocco and some sites in Algeria and Tunisia as well. The following sites are where the […]
Breeding expansion of Black-headed Gull in Morocco Read More »
Tracking Spanish Imperial Eagles showed the scale of their movements in Morocco and Africa in general. In 2015, six young satellite-tracked Spanish Imperial Eagles (Aquila adalberti) visited North Africa from Andalusia, southern Spain. A recent article by researchers from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC) and the Government of Andalusia explored the subject of these eagles’
Spanish Imperial Eagle recovering space beyond borders Read More »
Malgré l’état de conservation défavorable du Vautour percnoptère (Neophron percnopterus) et d’autres espèces de vautours, il est encore possible de sauver ces tant décriés oiseaux. Mais davantage études sont nécessaires, car comme le dit le dicton, “nous ne pouvons pas conserver ce que nous ne savons pas”. ‘The plight of the Egyptian Vulture and hopes for
Les vautours au Maghreb: une situation critique et espoirs pour l’avenir Read More »
A Pied Crow was photographed at Oulad Driss palm grove – located some 7 km east of Mhamid in eastern Sahara, on 1 November 2015 (Thomas S. Lahlafi). Brahim Bakass, who reported the news, said he will try to see the bird next day but without success (Brahim is a birder and bird guide who
Pied Crow at Mhamid, Morocco (2015-2020) Read More »
Two Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) were photographed yesterday at Larache, northern Morocco by Moroccan birder Imad Yassine. The birds were not ringed, so they are either from the Moroccan population or from the introduced population in southern Spain (if they have some birds not ringed?). The Moroccan breeding colonies at Tamri and Souss-Massa National
Northern Bald Ibis at Larache, northern Morocco Read More »
We received two recent sightings of Egyptian Nightjars (Caprimulgus aegyptius) in this February from two important birding hotspots: Aousserd in Western Sahara and Merzouga in Eastern Sahara. The first bird was seen at Laglat/Derraman near Oued Jenna on 18 Feb. 2016 by Javier Elorriaga and Yeray Seminario (Birding the Strait). In addition to the single Egyptian
Egyptian Nightjars arrive early to the breeding areas Read More »
Allen’s Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni) found at Tachektent on the Dakhla-Aousserd road yesterday (18 February 2016) by Mohamed Mediani. This is the 11th record for Morocco. The bird photographed by Ali Irizi at Oued Massa on 28 December 2014 and found three days later by Daniel Vrauwdeunt at the same site should be counted as one record in my opinion.
Allen’s Gallinule at Tachektent, Dakhla-Aousserd road Read More »
An adult Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) found and photographed today, 25 January, at the fish factory of Anza near Agadir by Arie Ouwerkerk and Jacob Jan de Vries. As we known, the observation of Kelp Gull in Morocco is more likely at Khniffiss lagoon and along the nearby coast. So such sightings in more northern latitudes
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) at Anza, Agadir Read More »
A 3-year old male Peregrine Falcon ringed in Sweden was captured south of Casablanca by poachers on 18 December 2015. It was released by Karim Rousselon after negotiations with the captors. Un Faucon mâle pèlerin d’origine suédoise de 3 ans capturé par des braconniers le 18/12/2015 au sud de Casablanca. Remis en liberté par Karim
Swedish Peregrine rescued from poachers at Casablanca, Morocco Read More »
The report of the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee (MRBC) for the year 2015 has just been published. During that period, the MRBC examined 124 new records of which 112 were accepted. The report included the first Moroccan records of three species: White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). It’s also the 4th for the Western Palearctic, seen at
Rare birds in Morocco: 21st report of the MRBC Read More »