Two Nearctic waders reported at Dayet Dar Bouazza, near Casablanca, during the last few days. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) Benoît Maire and his colleagues found this bird on 29 September 2019. The bird stayed at the site at least until 5 October (photo below). This would be the 17th record for Morocco if accepted by […]
American waders at Dar Bouazza, Morocco Read More »
Are birding optics such as telescopes banned in Morocco? Are there any new rules regarding this subject? The answer is NO. Please read until the end, share with your friends and colleagues and contribute your feedback (after your visit to the country). Morocco has been visited by several kinds of people over the years, from
Are birding optics banned from entry in Morocco? Read More »
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 »