A note on the birds seen during our trip by Mike Greer-Walker
The trail begins in Marrakesh and the old palace walls provide
nesting sites for the WHITE STORK one of the regions larger birds. The
nests are massive and a close approach can be made to observe the
mandible clattering courtship display. The familiar HOUSE SPARROWS are
present together with the HOUSE BUNTING which is also a commensal
with man. The ubiquitous COLLARED DOVE and SPOTLESS STARLING can also be
seen in the park close to the Hotel Ali.
The road to Zagora and the drive through the Anti Atlas yields
some interesting species if full use is made of the photo-stops. The
BLUE ROCK THRUSH is common and REDSTARTS (BLACK and MOUSSIER"S) occur
with a number of species of WHEATEAR (WHITE CROWNED BLACK,MOURNING and
RED RUMPED ) which are difficult to separate. STONECHATS and a GREAT
GREY SHRIKE singing from the top of an Acacia tree were also seen. There
are a number of LARKS endemic to this region but only the easily
approachable CRESTED LARK was positively identified.
The palmeries and oases such as the Draa valley provide some
of the best opportunities for birding. There has been little
significant rainfall for the past three years and this is apparent.
However, where open water remains there are GREY HERONS,LITTLE
EGRETS,CATTLE EGRETS (which attend camels) ,RED RUMPED SWALLOWS, ROCK
and CRAG MARTINS and WAGTAILS (PIED,GREY and YELLOW). In the date palms
the black cheeked COMMON BULBUL is unmistakable .
In the more arid areas and towards Tata the birds are few
but look out for QUAIL,BARBARY PARTRIDGE, DESERT FINCHES and LARKS (when
camel riding make sure you are on the lead camel). If there were time a
visit to one of the water reservoirs might be productive. In the
mountains around Tagoudiche are RAVENS and CHOUGHS and the summit of
Jebel Lekst is a good venue to look for raptors.
In Essaouira the thriving fishing port offers a complete
contrast with SHAGS and CORMORANTS on the breakwaters and LESSER BLACK
BACKED and YELLOW LEGGED GULLS taking advantage of the scraps left by
the fishermen . There are many species of WADERS and TERNS that migrate
this far south and a sea watch at this point could be worthwhile. The
rare ELEONORAS FALCON breeds on the offshore islands but a permit is
required for a visit and they migrate southwards at this time of year
.
Hotel La Renaissance, Tata in the morning
and into the Anti-Atlas mountains
Distant Berber tents
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