With almost a whole day ahead of us before our
flight back to Manchester, we headed back to the Oued Sous in daylight,
notching up a small flock of Greater Flamingos on the sandbar as a small number
of Avocets and Greenshanks probed in the shallows. Several Sandwich Terns
fished further out to shore, whilst both Maghreb Magpies and a duo of Moroccan
Wagtails put on a great show at close quarters.
Maghreb Magpie - recently split this is now recognised as its own species - mainly due to the blue patch of colour behind the eye.
Laughing Dove
Moroccan Wagtail
The Oued Sous
With the rest of the morning and afternoon
free, we decided to head back up to Paradise Valley for a final look at
Moussier’s Redstarts, the valley being one of the best sites of the trip for
them. We weren’t disappointed, managing to locate a further four birds, a
single female next to a smallholding remarkably our first non-male of the trip.
The pair of Bonelli’s Eagles were once more in action, while a male Sardinian
Warbler was a nice consolation for the absence of any Tristram’s Warblers
today.
Moussier's Redstart
Our first female of the trip - subtle yet identifiable (complete with Argan nuts!)
The famous goats eating the famous Argan nuts! I hadn't actually realised it was Argan trees we had been seeing until back in the UK. Argan trees (famed for their Argan oil) are endemic to the Souss Valley of southwestern Morocco and to the region of Tindouf in southwestern Algeria.
With our flight approaching, we made our
descent, using up the last of the fizzy water to try and clean some of the dust
and grime off our hire car before finally relenting and heading to the car wash outside the airport
in an attempt to avoid any cleaning fees!
During our stay Morocco had completely blown us
away with its charm, and there is a certain chaos that is quite unlike any
other country I have visited before. From the unruly Marrakech city centre
roads and the frenzied rural street markets to the ancient Berber villages in
the imposing Atlas Mountains, the people of Morocco were all part of the magic,
and this was a fantastic gentle introduction to Moroccan birding.
Oukaïmeden
A traditional Berber village
The grounds at Aurocher - our hotel whilst in the Atlas
The high Atlas
With many tours taking in the whole of the
Atlas Mountains, the Sahara, Agadir and even Fez in one trip, with limited time
this was an ideal itinerary for us, concentrating solely on the Atlas Mountains
and Agadir, with the aim of returning again to focus on the desert species and
Marsh Owl. This gentler pace really allowed us to savour the landscapes,
culture and birdlife on offer on what had been a truly fantastic trip and in
amazing country.
Moussier's Redstart
African Crimson-winged Finch
Northern Bald Ibis
Black-crowned Tchagra
Tristram's Warbler
Atlas Horned Lark
Levaillant's Woodpecker
Brown-throated Martin
Alex's super video capturing a snapshot of Moroccan birds from our trip
Iberian Magpie – 14th February –North of Aljezur on the N120, Rua 25 de Abril. (40+ travelling flock moving through the trees. Common and numerous throughout.)
Spanish Sparrow – 14th February – Ria de Alvor, small dirt track (Caminho da Espargueira). (A small number of males interspersed with House Sparrows. Only ones of the trip.)
Day 2 – Aljezur, Monchique and Lagos
Bonelli’s Eagle – 15th February – East of Maria Vinagre off the M1002 Estrada do Carrascalinho. (Two seen in total, soaring high)
Black-shouldered Kite – 15th February – South of Mexilhoeira Grande on the Rua 25 de Abril (north of the N125). (Seen well hovering and hunting. Only one of the trip)
Day 3 – Castro Verde to Faro
Great Bustard – 16th February –Castro Verde, west of Gueirero and east of Alcaria do Coelho, in fields north of the road. (Three individuals seen, though distant. Only birds of the trip.)
Black-headed Weaver – 16th February – Pools at Quinta do Lago at the San Lorenzo Golf Club (off Rua Douro). (Male and several females seen well in the reeds. Male paired up and singing. Only birds of the trip.)
Also of note:Probable Spanish Imperial Eagle - Castro Verde, south of Corte Pequena. Too distant to confirm but pale underside, apparent white rump and dark tips to the wings.
Notable Species: Cattle Egret - Frequent all over and very common White Stork - At many sites and common throughout Greater Flamingo - Several individuals at Ria de Alvor Purple Swamphen - Numerous on the golf course at Quinta do Lago Little Bustard - Large flock seen at Castro Verde, south of Corte Pequena. Black-winged Stilt - One seen at Ria de Alvor Kentish Plover - Three seen on the salt marsh at Quinta do Lago Audouin’s Gull - One seen on the pool at Quinta do Lago Black-bellied Sandgrouse - A handful seen in the fields at Castro Verde, north of Sao Marcos da Ataboeira Pallid Swift - Several individuals flying around the pools at Quinta do Lago Hoopoe - Several seen throughout the trip Crested Lark - Numerous and several seen throughout the trip Crag Martin - Numerous and several seen throughout the trip Red-rumped Swallow - A couple seen at Castro Verde, north of Navarro Sardinian Warbler -One seen in the scrub surrounding the fields at Ribeira de Aljezur Fan-tailed Warbler -A handful seen throughout the trip. More often heard Iberian Grey Shrike -Numerous throughout the trip Spotless Starling - Several seen throughout the trip Serin - Several seen throughout the trip
Additional species: Mallard Gadwall Shoveler Teal Pochard Tufted Duck Red-legged Partridge Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Cormorant Little Egret Grey Heron Spoonbill Red Kite Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier Common Buzzard Kestrel Peregrine Moorhen Coot Ringed Plover Golden Plover Lapwing Turnstone Dunlin Redshank Greenshank Black-headed Gull Mediterranean Gull Yellow-legged Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Rock Dove Stock Dove Woodpigeon Collared Dove Common Swift Great-spotted Woodpecker Barn Swallow House Martin Water Pipit Meadow Pipit White Wagtail Grey Wagtail Robin Black Redstart Stonechat Song Thrush Blackbird Blackcap Dartford Warbler Cetti’s Warbler Chiffchaff Firecrest Wren Great Tit Blue Tit Magpie Jay Raven Carrion Crow Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Linnet Goldfinch Greenfinch Corn Bunting
