Can a non-marked wader be relocated months after first sighting? Well, this is possible in only few cases including when the bird is leucistic and is alone in the region (so easily identifiable). This is the case of a leucistic Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) photographed for the first time in the intertidal zone between El Jadida […]
Leucistic Whimbrel becomes much whiter after moult Read More »
The Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), an invasive species from South America, found breeding at Tangier for the first time. The story began when Alfonso Escajadillo O Connor, a naturalist and birder from Peru, observed 6 individuals of Monk Parakeet nest building in a Phoenix canariensis tree at Tangier on 12 February 2015. When Alfonso met
Monk Parakeet breeds at Tangier, Morocco Read More »
A male Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) was photographed yesterday at a drinking site near Bir Anzarane, about 140 Km north-east of Dakhla, southern Morocco. The species was recorded during a scientific trip coordinated by the Association Nature Initiative (A.N.I). Abdeljebbar Qninba first saw and identified the species, Abdelaziz Benhoussa, Mohamed Ibn Tattou, Mohamed Laghdaf Khayya, Hicham El
Sudan Golden Sparrows at Bir Anzarane, Western Sahara Read More »
Recent sightings of Bearded Vulture in a National Park in Algeria give new hope that the species may still survive in the country. This is definitely good news for the species in Algeria and the whole of Northwest Africa. The news was released by the staff of the Theniet El Had National Park (Lahouari Djardini
Bearded Vulture in Algeria Read More »
A probable Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) was found and photographed at Dar Bouazza near Casablanca on 27 December 2014 by Benoît Maire. This is would be the first Moroccan record for the species if accepted by the MRBC. The relatively recent split of the Wilson’s Snipe from the Common Snipe (G. gallinago) means that the Nearctic species is still
Probable Wilson’s Snipe at Dar Bouazza, Morocco’s Atlantic coast Read More »
The 20th report of the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee (MRBC) has just been published. In 2014, the MRBC examined 109 new records of which 92 were accepted including four species new to Morocco: Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis): seen at Oualidia in June 2014. This is also the first record for mainland Africa. Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia
Rare birds in Morocco: 20th report of the MRBC Read More »
A juvenile Allen’s Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni) was found yesterday at Oued Massa by my colleague Ali Irizi (coordinates: 29.9998708, -9.6443939). This is the 10th record for Morocco of this Afro-tropical species. It’s wonderful to finish a birding year with such a rarity. Importantly, the bird was found alive which is much better that the dead
Allen’s Gallinule at Oued Massa, Morocco Read More »
Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) is represented by an endemic subspecies in Morocco (tingitanus) and it’s Critically Endangered. In the past, the species used to breed in the majority of the marshy areas in northwest Morocco. However, nowadays the northern limit of its breading range is Lower Loukkos, where some pairs still breed in the marshes.
Rare observations of Marsh Owl in northernmost Morocco Read More »
Un Vautour fauve a été abattu par un chasseur très probablement dans la région du Tangérois au nord du Maroc. Taoufik Mazouzi qui s’est indigné par l’acte de ce chasseur a partagé cette capture d’écran le 19 novembre 2014. La photo originale a été publiée par le chasseur vers la fin d’octobre, en plein période
Vautour fauve abattu par un chasseur au Maroc Read More »
An American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) found at Kenitra, northwest Morocco on 15 November 2014. This is the first record for Morocco and Northwest Africa. Thomas S. Lahlafi, who reported the news, commented: “The bird found very weak in the city of Kenitra three days ago by my uncle, and was collected to his garden.
First record of American Purple Gallinule for Morocco Read More »