This note presents unusual observations of the Eurasian Siskin in the North-East of the Algerian Sahara, specifically in the palm city of Ouargla, where the species is observed in winter 2017/2018. In the Algerian Sahara, the species is rarely observed except the following few records: at El Goléa and Ghardaïa oases palms in winter 1976 […]
Le Tarin des aulnes (Spinus spinus) dans le Nord-est du Sahara algérien Read More »
A massacre of nearly 1500 Turtle Doves in one day by foreign tourist hunters in the Marrakech region sparked great outrage in Morocco. The total exceeded by three times the hunting quota set by the law, according to an official inquiry. A hunting party organized in the region of Marrakech has turned into a real
Turtle Dove slaughter in Morocco by foreign hunters (video) Read More »
Breeding of Great Spotted Cuckoo in Algeria is confirmed probably for the first time ever. The breeding of Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator Glandarius) is Algeria was suspected based on old records, but probably never confirmed (see under the next photo). Last July, naturalist Mourad Harzallah confirmed the breeding of the species in Algeria beyond any
Great Spotted Cuckoo breeds in Algeria for the first time Read More »
The Cape Verde Shearwater (Calonectris edwardsii), as its name may suggests, is an endemic breeder to Cape Verde islands, and winters mainly in South Atlantic off South America (González-Solís et al. 2009). The species rarely ventures north of its breeding areas (or so we thought!). During the breading season, Cape Verde Shearwaters also frequently visit
Cape Verde Shearwater in the Canary Islands and Morocco Read More »
A remarkable nesting event of Greater Flamingo at the Sahline saltpans in Tunisia. Une grande colonie de Flamant rose découverte en Tunisie (En français au-dessous de la vidéo). The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is a migratory species fairly well studied especially in the Mediterranean basin. The high dispersal capacity of the species, combined with a
22,000 Greater Flamingos nest at Sahline, Tunisia Read More »
Over the past week, hundreds of wildfires have been ravaging several areas in Algeria. Hundreds of hectares of forest and private properties have been ravaged across several wilayas (provinces) of the centre-north and east, but Kabylie remains one of the most affected regions. In part of that region, the Bouira province “dozens of people were
Barbary macaques burnt alive by Algeria wildfires Read More »
A Pallid Harrier satellite-tracked in Finland spent the winter in the Guelmim region, southern Morocco. The area is very rich in preys but also very dangerous for raptors because of electrocution. This is the first proven wintering record of the species in Morocco. Westward expansion of the Pallid Harrier Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) breeds in
Finnish Pallid Harrier wintered in Morocco in a rich, yet dangerous area Read More »
Lancement du projet Répartition et évaluation de la vulnérabilité de la Pie du Maghreb Pica mauritanica” (en français, veuillez voir après l’illustration). Until very recently, the Maghreb Magpie (Pica mauritanica) was considered as conspecific with the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica). However, a new study by Song and his co-authors published in 2018 found that Maghreb
Répartition et évaluation de la vulnérabilité de la Pie du Maghreb (Pica mauritanica) Read More »
Three intact eggs of the North African Ostrich found near Bir Anzarane in Oued Dahab region. Trois œufs intacts d’autruche d’Afrique du Nord trouvés près de Bir Anzarane au sud du Maroc. In mid-May 2019, ‘Nature Initiative Association’ member Mohammed Fathi found three intact ostrich eggs at Taguerzimt near Bir Anzarane, Oued Dahab region. The
North African Ostrich eggs unearthed at Bir Anzarane, southern Morocco Read More »
The Rüppell’s Warbler (Sylvia ruppeli) breeds in northeastern Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey and small area in northwestern Syria), and winters mainly in the eastern part of the Sahel (Chad, Sudan). In Northwest Africa, the species is rare except in Libya where it’s a regular migrant. In Algeria, Isenmann & Moali (2000) cited only two previous records
First photographed Rüppell’s Warbler in Algeria Read More »