House Bunting found breeding at the Casbah of Algiers. It’s the first observation of this ‘southern’ species on the Mediterranean coast of the country. The House Bunting (Emberiza sahari) is a widely distributed species across North Africa from Morocco to western Libya. And it’s also patchily distributed in the Sahara from Mauritania to Chad. Although
House Bunting reaches Algeria’s Mediterranean coast Read More »
The Andalusian Buttonquail observed in Algeria for the first time after almost three decades without confirmed sightings. Le Turnix d’Andalousie observé en Algérie pour la première fois après une absence d’observations vérifiées pendant près de trois décennies. The Andalusian Buttonquail – affectionately known in Europe as Andalusian Hemipode – is the Mediterranean endemic subspecies of
Unilateral corneal opacity as a result of GPS tracking in a European Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) population released in the context of a LIFE+ reintroduction project Fritz J., Eberhard B., Esterer C., Trobe D. & Scope A. Waldrappteam | LIFE Northern Bald Ibis | 6162 Mutters, AustriaCorresponding author: Johannes Fritz | jfritz@waldrapp.eu | www.waldrapp.eu
GPS tags cause corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibis Read More »
Customs officials managed to foil the illegal export of 26 live falcons last week at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport. The Moroccan Customs Administration said in a statement that the falcons were transported without permission by a foreign national. It added that the raptors were hidden inside wooden crates arranged for this purpose. The 26
26 falcons seized at Casablanca Airport, Morocco Read More »
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
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 »