Until the end of the 20th century there were only limited numbers of autumn-winter breeding records of the Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor). With the exception of Cape Verde, all these mentions of winter breeding are outside the Western Palearctic (as defined in the BWP) and the Arabian Peninsula including Socotra Islands. In a recent paper […]
Winter breeding by Cream-coloured Coursers Read More »
Eleonora’s Falcons in Morocco imprison live birds to keep them fresh for a later meal. This behavior is unheard of before in the animal kingdom. The Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) is mainly insectivorous outside the breeding season. During the nesting period, which is very late (from July to October) as an adaptation to coincide with
Eleonora’s Falcons imprison live birds for a later meal Read More »
An international team of researchers from across Africa, Europe and North America have published the first continent-wide estimates of decline rates in African vultures. Their findings suggest that African vultures are likely to qualify as ‘Critically Endangered’ under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s global threat criteria. The study which was published recently in
African vultures are heading towards extinction, a study warns Read More »
Une étude suggère que les vautours africains sont en voie d’extinction. Une équipe internationale de chercheurs, dont des scientifiques de renom du Peregrine Fund, de l’Endangered Wildlife Trust, de l’Université de Makerere et de l’Université Altera de Wageningen, avertit que les vautours africains sont susceptibles de se qualifier comme « en danger critique d’extinction »
Les vautours africains diminuent de façon critique, avertit une étude Read More »
An Eurasian Spoonbill colour-ringed in The Netherlands was shot by a Moroccan hunter most likely near his native city of Kenitra. This photo was not taken in Malta, Cyprus or in the Middle East. No. The hunter is 100% Moroccan, as we can see in the language used in comments by other hunters who disapproved his
Dutch-ringed Spoonbill shot dead in Morocco Read More »
An amazing nesting association between a White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) and Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis) was observed at Auberge Amros, near Azrou in the Middle Atlas by Jacques Franchimont. On 7 June 2015, Jacques photographed several nests of Cattle Egrets (maybe 6) that were built on lateral branches of a White Stork nest (see photos).
White Storks sharing nests with Cattle Egrets and both breed successively Read More »
The House Bunting reached Jbel Moussa in 2015, and a year later it reached the nearby Ceuta (see the update below). The House Bunting (Emberiza sahari) colonised Tangier since at least a decade ago and now is abundant in many parts of this big city (Amezian et al. 2006). Then it colonised Tétouan since at least
House Bunting at Jbel Moussa and Ceuta Read More »
Jbel Moussa is known as a good point for observing bird migration crossing the Strait of Gibraltar between Africa and Europe. But it’s also known for its colony of the endangered Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus). The macaques inhabit the inaccessible parts of Jbel Moussa, but can easily be observed from the western and southern sides
Barbary macaques and vultures at Jbel Moussa, Morocco Read More »
A Golden Nightjar (Caprimulgus eximius) was observed crossing the road between Dakhla and Aousserd and hit by the observers’ car and died on 3 May 2015 (J. Dyczkowski & R. Smykala). This is the first confirmed record for Morocco and the Western Palearctic. This interesting record confirms once more that the Aousserd region is one of the best birding
Golden Nightjar at Aousserd: first Western Palearctic record Read More »
Large influx of Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus) has been detected in Morocco during the last few days and continues to this date. – On 2 May, Brahim Bakass photographed 2 Red-footed Falcons near Kelaat M’Gouna. – On 10 May, Karim Laïdi and his GOMAC colleagues photographed a male and female at Enjil Plateau, Boulemane Province
Influx of Red-footed Falcons in Morocco Read More »