Morocco

Just returned from an excellent week birding in Morocco. This was my first proper trip to the region exploring all sorts of raw and beautifully barren habitats from the High Atlas mountains to steppe, rocky plateaus, wadis, oases, palm groves and the stony and sandy deserts of the north western pre-Saharan region.

Highlights of the trip were the crazy displays of Hoopoe Larks on the Tagdilt plateau and the desert lake at Merzouga alive with waterbirds. Birds of note included Ruddy Shelduck, Lanner Falcon, Barbary Falcon, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Levaillant's Green Woodpecker, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Thick-billed Lark, Temminck's Lark, Hoopoe Lark, Common Bulbul, Moussier's Redstart, Desert Wheatear, Western Mourning Wheatear, White-crowned Wheatear, Red-rumped Wheatear, African Desert Warbler, Scrub Warbler, Fulvous Babbler, Brown-necked Raven, Desert Sparrow, Crimson-winged Finch & House Bunting.

Other fantastic wildlife included dozens of Plain Tiger butterflies (Danaus chrysippus), large Spiny-tailed Lizards (Uromastyx acanthinurus), Desert Fox (Fennecus zerda) and hundreds of Vagrant Emperor dragonflies (Hemianax ephippiger). Looking forward to returning again next year to explore the coastal wetlands, Mamora and Argan forests. I’ll post a full trip report soon for Morocco and the Costa de la Luz soon on the main website.