Number of participants<\/span>: 5<\/p>\n Number of species<\/span>: 189 + 4 races<\/p>\n This is the official report of the 2016 issue Moroccan early spring trip by Barcelona Birding Point<\/a>\u00a0led by Carles Oliver. Our trip started this year in 1st April, some weeks later than in previous issues but having more or less the same itinerary.<\/p>\n Day 1.<\/strong> After a good breakfast in our hotel in Marrakech we head to the Atlas. Here the landscape becomes more wet than around the city and the valleys start to show river side forests along every single stream while the slopes around are covered by juniper scrub lands.<\/p>\n Our first stop in this ambient fastly produced the first birds of the trip. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers<\/strong> (Dendrocopos major numidus) showed really well in the popplars. Right behind us we had 5 Hawfinches<\/strong> (Coccothraustes coccothraustes buvryi) showed out in the top of a close orchad tree. Some other birds around included African Chaffinch<\/strong> (Fringilla coelebs africana), Chiffchaff<\/strong> (Phylloscopus collybita), Blackcap<\/strong> (Sylvia atricapilla), European Serin<\/strong> (Serinus serinus), Greenfinch<\/strong> (Chloris chloris) and African Blue Tit<\/strong> (Cyanistes teneriffae ultramarinus), what a beauty!<\/p>\n Common Nightingales<\/strong> (Luscinia megarhychos) were singing around but we could not get any view on them, yet! Cattle Egrets<\/strong> (Bubulcus ibis) and White Storks<\/strong> (Ciconia ciconia) were all the time flying around while the firsts Red-rumped Swallows<\/strong> (Cecropis daurica) of many during the trip showed well flying over the orchads. Andreas spot also the first Grey Wagtail<\/strong> (Motacilla cinerea) of the trip calling from the top of a roof!<\/p>\n The main goal of the stop was, still, not hard to find out as a male Levaillant’s Woodpecker<\/strong> (Picus vallantii) was appearing along the tree line and showing really close. We all got excellent views on the bird moving along the tree and even drumming! What a bird!!<\/p>\n The African Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs africana) is a common view in the Moroccan forests and it is also a possible future split. Image: Carles Oliver<\/em> Levaillant’s Woodpecker (Picus vallantii), a scarce near-endemic living in the Atlas Northern slope. Image: Bauke Kortleve<\/em> Our second stop of the day produced also a really good list of birds. Only after getting out of the car we got +4 Sardinian Warblers<\/strong> (Sylvia melanocephala) along with 5 migratory European Bee-eaters<\/strong> (Merops apiaster). Soon after we got excellent views on the local race of Subalpine Warbler<\/strong> (Sylvia cantillans inornata) singing and hiding, as tipically, really well, in the scrublands. A short walk in the area produced a Common Kestrel<\/strong> (Falco tinnunculus), a briefly seen pack of Barbary Partridges<\/strong> (Alectoris barbara), a male Cirl Bunting<\/strong> (Emberiza cirlus) singing from a perch,+4 Red-rumped Swallows<\/strong> (Cecropis daurica) and one wonderful Common Cuckoo<\/strong> (Cuculus canorus) singing from a really tall perch and flying away. But the best of the stop were the awesome views on Tristam’s Warbler<\/strong> (Sylvia deserticola) when a male came out from the bush land around. We were lucky as we could follow the bird among the vegetation for some minutes!!! This bird is also a Moroccan near-endemic and, well, sometimes not easy to spot.<\/p>\n After that we just head to Ouka\u00efmeden, the main stop of the day, since it is the best place for high mountain birds in Morocco. Still, even before arriving to Ouka\u00efmeden we had to stop three times. The first spot to enjoy a flock of +8 Lesser Kestrels<\/strong> (Falco naumanii). The second stop produced a wonderful combination of raptors in the sky with both Long-legged Buzzard<\/strong> (Buteo rufinus cirtensis) and Booted Eagle<\/strong> (Aquila pennata) soaring over the slopes and a wonderful flock of over 40 Red-billed Chough<\/strong> (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). In the last stop we enjoyed a pair of light forms Booted Eagles<\/strong> (Aquila pennata) disturbed by Ravens<\/strong> (Corvus corax).<\/p>\n Once in Ouka\u00efmeden we promptly had our first Common Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia) and the near-endemic Seebohm’s Wheatear<\/strong> (Oenanthe seebohmi), counting over 20 of each of them at the end of our stay in Ouka\u00efmeden. A flock of over 200 Alpine Choughs<\/strong> (Pyrrhocorax graculus) were flying over the opositte slope, impressive! A short walk around produced a good flock of Common Rock Sparrow<\/strong> and, alomg with them, Linnets<\/strong> (Acanthis cannabina), 2 Mistle Thrush<\/strong> (Turdus viscivorus deichleri) and our 3 Common Chaffinches<\/strong> (Fringilla coelebs) along the trip. Soon after Bauke spot the first Atlas Horned Lark<\/strong> (Eremophila alpestris atlas) of the day! Walking around we spot about 30 of them and didn’t have to wonder more to have our 2 firsts African Crimson-winged Finches<\/strong> (Rhodopechys alienus) showing close but briefly!! Still expecting a better views we walk a bit more further when Bauke spot, in a private moment, wonderful flock of 5 finches perched on a rock. What a view! This was to rank among the highlights of the trip!<\/p>\n Seebohm’s Wheatear (Oenanthe seehbomi), again a near-endemic living in the high mountain grass lands in Morocco and Algeria. Image: Bauke Kortleve<\/em><\/p>\n Atlas Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris atlas), an endemic race (and possible future split) endemic of NW African high mountains. Image: Carles Oliver<\/em><\/p>\n African Crimson-winged Finches (Rhodopechys alienus) has been recently split from Asian Crimson-winged Finch. This was, of course, one of the highlights of the trip! Image: Carles Oliver<\/em><\/p>\n After a good lunch around we still enjoyed of the beautiful view of over 100 Choughs feeding on the grasslands around. They were mainly Alpine but some Red-billeds were providing really close views! A little walk further away still produced some really good birds. 1 Blue Rock Thrush<\/strong> (Monticola solitarius) was singing from the top of a ridge. Below, 4 Water Pipits<\/strong> (Anthus spinolleta) were feeding along the stream along with a pair of Grey Wagtails<\/strong> (Motacilla cinerea), Winter Wren<\/strong> (Troglodytes troglodytes) and Mistle Thrush<\/strong>. A wondwerful Rock Bunting<\/strong> (Emberiza cia) male was really celebrated in the group and gave us excellents while moving on ground. The last bird in appear up here was a distant but good view on a Dipper<\/strong> (Cinclus cinclus), a bird which has here its southermost population. Before coming back in our car, we still had 1 Booted Eagle<\/strong> in the sky.<\/p>\n A new stop in a phantastic Spanish Fear (Abies pinsapo) spot produced some birds regarded to canopies. Coal Tits<\/strong> (Periparus ater) and Firecrests<\/strong> (Regulus ignicapilla) showed really well. A flock of 4 Siskins<\/strong> (Spinus spinus) was a really good bonus!<\/p>\n Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus), a gorgeous bird that we could enjoy up to 4 times along the tour. Image:Bauke Kortleve<\/em> Day 2.<\/strong> An early morning start for our transfer to the area around Agadir. In our way we could see some flocks of European Bee-eaters<\/strong> in their migratory way and both Woodchat<\/strong> (Lanius senator) and Algerian Shrikes<\/strong> (this last a probable future split from Northern Grey Shrike).<\/p>\n Once arrived there we did a stop in the Tamri Stuary. From here we could see our 2 firsts Northern Bald Ibises<\/strong> (Geronthicus eremita) preening by the water. It was a far but really intense view because all the extremely delicated situation of this species worldwide! A fast view on the stuary produced a flock of 5 Eurasian Spoonbills<\/strong> (Platalea leucorodia), Grey Herons<\/strong> (Ardea cinerea), Little Egret<\/strong> (Egretta garzetta), 2 Ruddy Shelducks<\/strong> (Tadorna ferruginea) and a good flock of gulls and terns roosting on the beach.<\/p>\n We decided to do along the beach to have better views on the Ibises. Soon we discovered a pair of Kentish Plover<\/strong> (Charadrius alexandrinus) that provided excellent views along with Moroccan Wagtails<\/strong> moving on the beach while several Lesser Black-backed Gulls<\/strong> (Larus fuscus) were moving over us. During the walk we had at least 2 Subalpine Warblers<\/strong> (Sylvia cantillans) in the scrubs along the sandy area. When arrived closer to the stuary we had excellent views on the Ibises but also good views on +20 Audouin’s Gulls<\/strong> (Larus audouinii) sleeping on the beach along with +20 Sandwich Terns<\/strong> (Sterna sandvicensis) along with Yellow-legged Gulls<\/strong> (Larus michahellis), 2 Great Cormorant<\/strong> (Phalacrocorax carbo), 2 Common Ringed Plovers<\/strong> (Charadrius hiaticula) and Eurasian Coots<\/strong> (Fulica atra). In the way back to the car we had more views on Subalpine Warblers<\/strong> and a pair of flocks of Spanish Sparrows<\/strong> that had wonderful views on some males showing full summer plumage.<\/p>\n Not satisfied with the views we had on Northern Bald Ibises<\/strong> we went to explore the fields around expecting to find any group feeding on the sandy areas or going for water somewhere. After a short exploration we had some individuals flying around. Finally, we had at least 7 individuals moving on the slopes, feeding on ground and enjoyed of really close views of birds flying around us!!!<\/p>\n Above & below Northern Bald Ibises (Geronthicus eremita) flying in some of the really close views we enjoyed in Tamri. Images: Bauke Kortleve<\/em><\/p>\n These slopes are also great for other birds as we had at least 2 Spectacled Warblers<\/strong> (Sylvia conscipillata), Thekla Larks<\/strong> (Galerida theklae) and wonderful views on at least two pairs of Black-eared Wheatears<\/strong> (Oenanthe hispanica). Before leaving the area we had to stop again since a Long-legged Buzzard<\/strong> was soaring really close of the car, along with 1 Common Kestrel<\/strong>. Close by we also enjoyed 1 Peregrine Falcon<\/strong> (Falco peregrinus brookei).<\/p>\n Our next stop was in Cape Tamri, expecting to have some migratory sea birds. We did not do a long stay because of the strong (and cold) wind but still we had +100 Northern Gannets<\/strong> (Morus bassanus) flying North along with +3 Manx Shearwaters<\/strong> (Puffinus puffinus) and, the best, 1 Razorbill<\/strong> (Alca torda). This bird was my first Razorbill<\/strong> so far South, despite during this winter it had been some sights along this coast.<\/p>\n Last stop of the day was to explore the Souss River just beside Agadir. This really well known site is excellent to locate gull, terns and waders that cannot be located anywhere else during the trip! Before arriving we had some beautiful views on Laughing Dove<\/strong> (Streptopelia senegalensis) and Moroccan Magpie<\/strong> (Pica pica mauretanicus). The mudflats along the river had +30 Grey Plovers<\/strong> (Pluvialis squatarola), 1 Common Redshank<\/strong> (Tringa totanus), Curlew<\/strong> (Numenius arquata), 2 Whimbrels<\/strong> (Numenius phaeopus), several Eurasian Oystecatchers<\/strong> (Haematopus ostralegus), Common Ringed Plovers<\/strong> and good views on 5 Bar-tailed Godwits<\/strong> (Limosa lapponica), a pair of them showing a wonderful summer plomage.<\/p>\n There were several flocks of gulls in the mudflats. Scanning them we had 5 Mediterranean Gulls<\/strong> (Larus melanocephalus), 2nd year all of them, +15 Slender-billed Gulls<\/strong> (Chroicocephalus genei) and Black-headed Gulls<\/strong> (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) along with Yellow-legged<\/strong> and Lesser Black-backed Gulls<\/strong>. A big flock of over 50 Gull-billed Terns<\/strong> (Gelochelidon nilotica), some of them offering great views all around.\u00a0Here we also had our firsts Zitting Cisticolas<\/strong> (Cisticola juncidis) of the trip. When arriving to our hotel we still had a wonderful view on a flock of over 40 Glossy Ibises<\/strong> (Plegadis falcinellus) flying over the area. Without doubt was an incredible end for our second day of the trip!<\/p>\n Day 3.<\/strong> Even before getting inside the car we already had a pair of really good birds. A pair of Moussier’s Redstart<\/strong> (Phoenicurus moussieri) was showing really well (and close) and, beyonf them, a pair of wonderful Stone Curlews<\/strong> (Burhinus oedicnemus) were sleepping in the bare slope. After a good view from the scope we just got inside the car and approached the birds, getting excellent views on them without disturbing them!<\/p>\n During the trip we had estremely close views on a pair of Stone Curlews (Burhinus oedicnemus) roosting just by one of our accommodations. Image: Carles Oliver<\/em> Our first stop in the morning produced an amazing range of birds. A small pond in the river Massa produced our Savi’s Warbler<\/strong> (Locustella naevia) and Little Crake<\/strong> (Porzana parva) listened in the reeds around. Here we also had good views on +3 Isabelline Warblers<\/strong> (Iduna opaca), Iberian Yellow Wagtail<\/strong> (Motacilla flava iberiae), 2 Cetti’s Warblers<\/strong> (Cettia cetti), 2 Western Bonelli’s Warbler<\/strong> (Phylloscopus bonelli), Sedge Warbler<\/strong> (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), several Subalpine Warblers<\/strong> (Sylvia cantillans) and Blackcaps<\/strong> (Sylvia atricapilla) as well as commoner birds including Moorhen<\/strong> (Gallinula chloropus), Little Grebe<\/strong> (Tachybaptus ruficallis), African Chaffinch<\/strong>, Sardinian Warbler<\/strong>, Common Bulbul<\/strong> and several Laughing Doves<\/strong> (Streptopelia senegalensis). The area around was being highly productive and we could wish to do not move from there in the whole week!! We came out of the vegetation to have a better view on the pond when\u00a0a Little Bittern<\/strong> (Ixobrychus minutus) appeared flying over the small pond. The bird was really celebrated although the best bird in the stop were two wonderful Black-crowned Tchagras<\/strong> (Tchagra senegalensis) appearing really close to us. We could enjoy of really close views on the birds while moving on ground and around us. What a start for the day!<\/p>\n Moussier’s Redstart (Phoenicurus moussieri), a wonderful near-endemic that can be surprisingly common in some areas. Image: Carles Oliver<\/em> <\/p>\n The transfer to our next stop produced wonderful views on a group of 4 European Bee-eaters<\/strong> (Merops apiaster) in the wires along the road. New stop, new pond. First sight here were two beautiful Black-crowned Night Heron<\/strong> (Nycticorax nycticorax) sleeping in a tamarisk with a wonderful Turtle Dove<\/strong> (Streptopelia turtur) singing right beside them. What a good combiation of birds! Grey Heron<\/strong> (Ardea cinerea) and Little Grebe<\/strong> were also present here.<\/p>\n In the fields around we spotted a pair of European Stonechat<\/strong> (Saxicola rubicola) and Corn Buntings<\/strong> (Miliaria calandra) while both Black-crowned Tchagras<\/strong> and more Turtle Doves<\/strong> were singing around us. A new Little Bittern<\/strong> was appearing from the reeds and flying over the pond but unfortunately we couldn’t relocated when stopping again among the vegetation. At the same time a Kingfisher<\/strong> (Alcedo atthis) joined the pond, stopping close to the Grey Heron<\/strong>. Again some Isabelline<\/strong> & Subalpine Warblers<\/strong> were moving by the edge of the reeds and our only one Purple Heron<\/strong> (Ardea purpurea) of the trip flew over us moving to the West…<\/p>\n Last stop of the morning. A tiny pond that was really productive for migratory birds. Again Subalpine Warblers<\/strong> and Blackcaps<\/strong> were moving here as well as Western Bonelli’s Warbler<\/strong>. A carefully scan of the area produced Isabelline Warbler<\/strong>, European Reed Warbler<\/strong> (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Sedge Warbler<\/strong>, Willow Warblers<\/strong> (Phylloscopus trochilus), Cetti’s Warbler<\/strong> as well as 3 Squacco Herons<\/strong> (Ardeola ralloides), 1 Great White Egret<\/strong> (Chasmerodius albus), Common Sandpiper<\/strong> (Actitis hypoleucos) and Italian Yellow Wagtail<\/strong> (Motacilla flava cinereocapilla). The third Little Bittern<\/strong> (this time, a male) appeared from the lush vegetation! Here we also had the \u00abrarity\u00bb of the trip; a Lesser Whitethroat<\/strong> (Sylvia curruca) showing really well, but rather shortly, in a tamarisk along with other warblers. This is a quite scarce bird in migration in West Europe and NW Africa so we can considered as the \u00abbest\u00bb bird of the trip! After such a successful morning we just came back to our accommodation for a good lunch and a bit of rest! During the afternoon we just travelled back to Marrakech after enjoying a bit of the dunes in the National Park.<\/p>\n Day 3.<\/strong> This day we were just crossing the Atlas to start exploring the Southern slope of this huge mountain range. But before and during the crossing we had some good stops.<\/p>\n First stop of the morning we did some birding in the olive orchads immediatly around Marrakech. Here we had some of the near-endemic Spotless Starlings<\/strong> (Sturnus unicolor) as well as several Common Bulbuls<\/strong> (Pycnonotus barbatus). Sardinian Warblers<\/strong>, African Chaffinches<\/strong> and Greenfinches<\/strong> we also present along with Africcan Magpies<\/strong>. Flocks of Little<\/strong> (Apus affinis) and Pallid Swifts<\/strong> (Apus pallidus) were flying over us. Here we had a good selection of migratory birds. Subalpine<\/strong> & Willow Warblers<\/strong> were common and we had also 2 Common Whitethroats<\/strong> (Sylvia communis) and Western Bonelli’s Warbler<\/strong>. The first of many Common Redstarts<\/strong> (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) were also showing out here and we also enjoyed the first Melodious Warbler<\/strong> (Hippolais polyglotta) of the trip showing really well in the out and even allowing good comparitions with both Willow<\/strong> and Isabelline Warblers<\/strong>!<\/p>\n Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is a common (and beautiful) migratory bird in Morocco. Image: Bauke Kortleve<\/em> <\/p>\n The second stop of the trip was even more interesting. While driving the road up to Ourika Valley Bauke was having a new pack of Barbary Partridges<\/strong> by the road and a Black-shouldered Kite<\/strong> (Elanus caeruleus) was appearing in the sky. We stop, of course. We all had excellent, but short, views on the Kite flying around. Scanning the fields around we had a Short-toed Eagle<\/strong> (Circaetus gallicus) on a post. Also a really good bird. There, European Stonechats<\/strong> (Saxicola rubicola), Cirl Buntings<\/strong>,\u00a0Zitting Cisticolas<\/strong> and Corn Buntings<\/strong> were all showing well.<\/p>\n A bird calling not far from us decided us to explore a bit further away, just at the moment that 2 ![\"tmp_P11104861704765193\"](\"https:\/\/elpolitcantaire.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/05\/tmp_p11104861704765193.jpg?w=627\")
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