A really fun and productive trip to Morocco. We did very well with all of the Northwest African endemics as well as a solid showing of Old World shorebirds. Your bird highlights included the rare Northern Bald Ibis and Houbara Bustard, the sharply dressed, Moussier's Redstart and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, and the (numerous?) Levaillant's Woodpecker. The Dupont's Lark hunt was also a favorite for a couple of folks. There were other non-bird highlights that the group enjoyed, everything from the impressive Dades Gorge, Jaaba Oak Forest (and worth mentioned the impressive cedar forest nearby), our local Berber guides at Erg Chebbi and the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl spot, and let's not forget the chicken taigine!
Thanks for visiting Morocco with me and I hope we can have more fun together on another trip somewhere else in the world. Let's not forget to thank our very capable driver and local guide, Oussama, for all his help with this successful tour. Good birding for the remaining 2022 and beyond.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
RUDDY SHELDUCK (Tadorna ferruginea)
Small numbers at Aguelmame de Sidi Ali and Oued Massa.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)
Fairly common in the Rabat area at Loukus River and Bourhaba Lake.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Anas crecca crecca)
Small numbers tucked into the edge at Bourhaba Lake.
MARBLED TEAL (Marmaronetta angustirostris)
This was a good pickup for us. This is mostly a Mediterranean duck found in scattered locations, but rare and local in places. Seen at Bourhaba Lake.
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (Netta rufina)
Seen at Aguelmame, but from a distance in the scope. Pretty distinctive, regardless.
WHITE-HEADED DUCK (Oxyura leucocephala)
Another good waterfowl find. There were several at Bourhaba Lake. Rare and local in region.
BARBARY PARTRIDGE (Alectoris barbara)
This was a good trip for this species. Always tough to predict where you might see one, but we had good looks at several spots, but our best was at Oued Massa. Mostly a Northern African endemic, but also in southern Spain and Canary Islands.
DOUBLE-SPURRED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis bicalcaratus ayesha)
We dipped on this species the first afternoon, but caught up with it the next morning. A strange distribution for this species as it is only found in the Zaer, but again in sub-Saharan Africa.
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Good numbers at Bourhaba Lake.
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)
Both grebe species were seen well at Loukus River and Bourhaba Lake.
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
Wild, native Rock Pigeons were seen in the Ziz River Valley, but also in the Dades Gorge among other places. Also, feral birds in cities and towns.
COMMON WOOD-PIGEON (Columba palumbus)
Seen around Ifrane in the cedar forest.
EUROPEAN TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia turtur)
Several migrants in tamarisk trees at Erg Chebbi.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto)
PIN-TAILED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles alchata)
Amazing looks at the wadi near Boumalne Dades. The hardest of the sandgrouse to see on this tour.
SPOTTED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles senegallus)
Hundreds (?) seen in flight and landing around us at our first morning stop in Erg Chebbi. Also being harassed by a pair of Barbary Falcons.
BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles orientalis)
A small group was seen in flight as we left Midelt. Not seen by everyone, unfortunately.
CROWNED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles coronatus)
We watched a small group land at the wadi near Boumalne Dades. Excellent scope views.
HOUBARA BUSTARD (NORTH AFRICAN) (Chlamydotis undulata undulata)
A great find for us thanks to our local guide, Um-Barak, who helped us get on them. This is a bird not seen most trips. This is a species that has declined markedly throughout its northern Africa range. One of the main targets for falconry enthusiasts.
RED-NECKED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus ruficollis)
Incredible to find one flying in the morning around the hotel at Skhirat. It eventually settled on the ground for amazing looks. It was probably disturbed by a cat or some other predator.
EURASIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus europaeus)
First encountered at dawn in the Zaer, but again in the Sahara where we had a migrant day roosting.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Good numbers in the lakes around Rabat.
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Also, in several spots where there were lakes or reservoirs.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
This species has a very small range restricted to Southern Spain and N Morocco. We saw them well at Bourhaba Lake.
WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)
One at Bourhaba Lake.
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
Good numbers at Bourhaba Lake.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
This elegant bird was found at Bourhaba Lake.
EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus)
Seen well along the coast at Skhirat.
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
KENTISH PLOVER (KENTISH) (Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus)
A couple were seen during our beach watch from our hotel in Skhirat.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
Good numbers throughout the tour. Very similar and closely related to the North American Semipalmated Plover. Found along the coast, but occasionally as a migrant at interior freshwater sites.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)
A few seen at different sites, but generally not along the coast, as it prefers freshwater sites like interior lakes and reservoirs.
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus)
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata)
Similar to the previous species, but with a much longer bill! Singles were seen at Skhirat and the Oued Souss.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
We had nice comparisons with both godwits this tour, but Bar-tailed is by far the most common.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
RED KNOT (Calidris canutus)
Just one along the beach at Skhirat.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
Small numbers at Bourhaba Lake and Oued Massa. Several folks were interested in studying this species in case they showed up back home!
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea)
Several seen at different spots along the tour, the first at the Loukus River.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
The shorter billed subspecies that we saw on this tour is schinzii.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago)
Good numbers this trip at different sites.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
Similar to a Greater Yellowlegs (especially the call), but with green legs. Fairly common at edges of lakes and ponds.
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus)
These were pretty common. Similar to our North American yellowlegs, but they have orange legs!
CREAM-COLORED COURSER (Cursorius cursor)
We nearly ran over one on the road to Ikniouen. It landed off the road and we crept up on it for nice scope looks. A bird that can be easily missed on this tour!
POMARINE JAEGER (Stercorarius pomarinus)
We had a couple of Poms from the hotel in Skhirat, along with lots of Parasitics. Parasitic was also seen on the pelagic trip.
PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus)
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)
October is definitely a good time for Med Gull. We had several groups on the beach at Skhirat during our stay there.
AUDOUIN'S GULL (Ichthyaetus audouinii)
One on the beach at Skhirat, but a larger group was seen at the Oued Massa.
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)
This and the next species are the common gulls seen on the trip and usually in good numbers.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (GRAELLSII) (Larus fuscus graellsii)
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
Several, included a couple of banded birds, on the Loukus River.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
A pair on the beach at Skhirat.
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis)
This is rare on the trip and it was a good find for us at Skhirat.
CORY'S SHEARWATER (Calonectris diomedea)
Good numbers on our pelagic, but also a few from the hotel in Skhirat.
GREAT SHEARWATER (Ardenna gravis)
One flew close to the boat on our pelagic trip out of Agadir.
MANX SHEARWATER (Puffinus puffinus)
We got close to one sitting on the water during our pelagic.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia)
Good numbers around this year, including several standing on their enormous nests, often in towns.
NORTHERN GANNET (Morus bassanus)
They had arrived in numbers by October so we saw them at Skhirat and a lot on the pelagic trip. All plumages were represented.
GREAT CORMORANT (NORTH ATLANTIC) (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo)
The dominant taxa it seems in Morocco though it is mainly a wintering bird.
GREAT CORMORANT (MOROCCAN) (Phalacrocorax carbo maroccanus)
A few in the north around Rabat, but this subspecies becomes more common further south like around Agadir.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
Nice studies throughout the tour, which was especially good for those folks used to seeing Snowy Egret.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
Seen at Bourhaba Lake and at Oued Massa.
NORTHERN BALD IBIS (Geronticus eremita)
It was a long day and a mad dash up to the Tamri River mouth to see them, but our local guide put us on two birds foraging in the sand dunes. It was a nice way to end the day. A very rare and local bird.
EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia)
It's always nice to see spoonbills! We had small numbers at a few different spots on the tour.
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Seen at most wetland areas, especially on the coast, during the trip.
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
One was seen in the Zaer.
BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus)
Most had moved through already or departed, but we saw one migrant at Erg Chebbi.
EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus)
Good numbers in the Rabat area and again at Oued Massa.
HEN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus)
One high-flying migrant flew over us while we were birding the Jabaa Forest.
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus)
Singles at different spots.
COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo)
One was seen at Lake Bourhaba. This is relatively uncommon as a migrant in Morocco.
LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo rufinus)
The common raptor in the desert regions.
PHARAOH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo ascalaphus)
Thanks to Oussama who had a contact that marched us to roost site. It was well worth the effort!
LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua)
Finally, caught up with one at Oued Massa.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)
A pair were seen in the palm groves near Rissani.
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis)
Never super common, but we had nice views at Lake Bourhaba and Oued Massa.
EURASIAN WRYNECK (Jynx torquilla)
We lucked out seeing one from the van at Loukus River.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (ATLAS) (Dendrocopos major numidus)
Very good studies of several individuals in the Lakes Region at Ifrane.
LEVAILLANT'S WOODPECKER (Picus vaillantii)
LESSER KESTREL (Falco naumanni)
Migrants were streaming overhead at Ifrane and in the high desert near Midelt.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)
PEREGRINE FALCON (BARBARY) (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides)
A pair were hunting sandgrouse in the desert at Erg Chebbi.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (HOODED) (Tchagra senegalus cucullatus)
Heard in the Zaer, but scoped at Oued Massa. It has a pleasant rolling song that reminds me a lot of a Rufous-browed Peppershrike.
GREAT GRAY SHRIKE (SAHARA) (Lanius excubitor algeriensis)
This is the subspecies found along the coast. It is darker overall than the next taxa.
GREAT GRAY SHRIKE (SAHARA) (Lanius excubitor elegans)
Seen in the desert region.
EURASIAN JAY (Garrulus glandarius)
Fairly common in the Jaaba Forest and also at Oukaimeden.
MAGHREB MAGPIE (Pica mauritanica)
Our first looks were at Bourhaba Lake, but this species was seen many times at different spots along the tour, but mostly along the coast.
RED-BILLED CHOUGH (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
This is the common species of chough at Oukaimeden. Seen in large groups where they often soar or feed on the ground.
YELLOW-BILLED CHOUGH (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
We lucked out with several large groups within the town of Oukaimeden. The tour running a little later in the year undoubtedly had something to do with the higher numbers (we often miss them in Sep).
EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula)
Big numbers and flocks around Rabat and Larache.
BROWN-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus ruficollis)
This was the common raven in the desert region around Merzouga.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
COAL TIT (Periparus ater)
Seen in the Jaaba Forest and again at Oukaimeden.
AFRICAN BLUE TIT (Cyanistes teneriffae)
Common at different sites along the tour.
GREAT TIT (Parus major)
Small numbers around Ifrane and the Jaaba Forest.
GREATER HOOPOE-LARK (Alaemon alaudipes)
We enjoyed watching this bird running around in the desert sand at Erg Chebbi. Hearing its rusty swing-high-pitched song was also a treat.
THICK-BILLED LARK (Ramphocoris clotbey)
BAR-TAILED LARK (Ammomanes cinctura)
Good studies of this pale lark in the desert at Erg Chebbi.
DESERT LARK (Ammomanes deserti)
This species prefers the rocky desert and ridges, precisely where we found a pair on our way to Tinejdad.
HORNED LARK (ATLAS) (Eremophila alpestris atlas)
Seen in the High Atlas at Oukaimeden.
TEMMINCK'S LARK (Eremophila bilopha)
Seen in the desert flats near Boumalne Dades. Very similar to the previous species, but lacks the yellow wash to the face.
DUPONT'S LARK (Chersophilus duponti)
We did a couple of long sweeps through the high desert near Midelt for this species. It took awhile, but Terry eventually spotted something moving in close, and it was it! Exciting moment.
MEDITERRANEAN SHORT-TOED LARK (Alaudala rufescens)
Good numbers in the Zaida Plains, often calling in flight, but several were scoped and photographed.
WOOD LARK (Lullula arborea)
We called up a responsive bird near Ifrane.
THEKLA'S LARK (Galerida theklae)
The "Crekla" Larks would be with us most of the tour, but we identified good Thekla's at Ifrane and Boumalne Dades. Very similar to the next species.
CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata)
MAGHREB LARK (Galerida macrorhyncha randonii)
This species is a fairly recent split from Crested Lark. It has a longer bill and crest, while being paler overall than Crested owing to its desert habitat. Seen in the Erg Chebbi area.
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis)
WESTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER (Iduna opaca)
Small numbers were along the Oued Massa.
EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
A couple were flying over the Massa River. Similar to our Northern Rough-winged Swallows. This is another species with a fairly strange distribution in Africa. It is found in Morocco, and disjunctly in sub-Saharan Africa.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
One at the Oued Massa.
EURASIAN CRAG-MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
We were surprised to see a couple at the Loukus River, but they were common in more appropriate habitat in the Dades Gorge.
BARN SWALLOW (WHITE-BELLIED) (Hirundo rustica rustica)
COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)
COMMON BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus)
Seen or heard most days of the tour.
COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)
Good numbers were seen in the tamarisk trees along the Massa River south of Agadir.
SCRUB WARBLER (Scotocerca inquieta)
Always difficult. This NW African endemic was seen skirting between the desert bushes on our stop near Errachidia. They never do relax, but the wind made our viewing more problematic.
CETTI'S WARBLER (Cettia cetti)
Briefly seen at the Loukus River and again at Massa River.
EURASIAN BLACKCAP (Sylvia atricapilla)
Lots of migrants this tour.
GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia borin)
One was seen and photographed at the Massa River.
AFRICAN DESERT WARBLER (Curruca deserti)
Fantastic looks at a single bird near Erg Chebbi. We had to really work on this one, but it paid off in the end! Thanks to Betsy for spotting this one!
TRISTRAM'S WARBLER (Curruca deserticola)
We saw a young bird (first-year) in the High Atlas above Midelt, but better looks at a adult male were had in the Dades Gorge.
SARDINIAN WARBLER (Curruca melanocephala)
The most common Sylvid seen or heard on our tour. They are resident in Morocco.
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER (Curruca iberiae)
Seen in the desert oasis around Merzouga. This species breeds in the mountains, but winter at lower elevations spreading out across the desert flats.
FULVOUS CHATTERER (Argya fulva)
Can be a tricky bird to see. We lucked out finding a small group in the desert west of Errachidia.
COMMON FIRECREST (Regulus ignicapilla)
Seen well in the Jaaba Forest, but also heard at Oukaimeden.
EURASIAN NUTHATCH (Sitta europaea)
Good numbers in the Jaaba Oak Forest.
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER (Certhia brachydactyla)
Also, in the Jaaba Forest.
SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor)
This species was common throughout our tour in various sites, but our first were on the hotel grounds at Skhirat.
MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus)
Bonnie was happy to finally see this species, which were common in the Ifrane area.
EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula)
Seen nearly every day of the tour!
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)
A few migrants were around.
EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)
COMMON NIGHTINGALE (Luscinia megarhynchos) [*]
EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hypoleuca)
Often common as a migrant in September, but seems by October most have moved through.
MOUSSIER'S REDSTART (Phoenicurus moussieri)
Folks really liked this elegant bird. A NW African endemic that is relatively common at a couple of spots on this tour.
COMMON REDSTART (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Migrants were seen in the Rabat area.
BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Usually prefers higher-elevations and rockier habitat than the previous species. A few were seen at Oukaimeden.
WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra)
Just one at the Loukus River.
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola rubicola)
Common throughout the tour at various sites.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe)
The northern migrant subspecies was seen a few times this tour. They often haven't arrived in September, but by Oct they were around in good numbers.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (BLACK-THROATED) (Oenanthe oenanthe seebohmi)
Seehbom's Wheatears, the resident subspecies in NW Africa, were seen at a couple of different spots including Ifrane and Oukaimeden.
DESERT WHEATEAR (Oenanthe deserti)
Nice looks in the Erg Chebbi area.
RED-RUMPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe moesta)
This species was common in the high desert between the High and Anti Atlas, like at Boumalne Dades.
BLACK WHEATEAR (Oenanthe leucura)
Prefers the rocky desert ridges.
WHITE-CROWNED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe leucopyga)
Common in towns in the desert regions. Often sitting on rooftops or powerlines.
MOURNING WHEATEAR (Oenanthe lugens)
A beautiful pair were seen at our Pharaoh Eagle-Owl spot. One of the hardest of the wheatears to see.
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
SPANISH SPARROW (Passer hispaniolensis)
Seen and studied well at Oued Massa.
DESERT SPARROW (Passer simplex)
One made a brief appearance in the lone tree during a desert stop at Erg Chebbi.
ROCK SPARROW (Petronia petronia)
Sometimes called Rock Petronia, we had large numbers in the Ifrane area.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)
Seen a few times along rivers and streams.
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (IBERIAE) (Motacilla flava iberiae)
Seen near Rabat and in the dump at Boumalne Dades.
WHITE WAGTAIL (WHITE-FACED) (Motacilla alba alba)
A large number of migrants were in the dump at Boumalne Dades.
WHITE WAGTAIL (MOROCCAN) (Motacilla alba subpersonata)
Singles in the Dades Gorge and Oued Massa. This is the resident Moroccan subspecies.
COMMON CHAFFINCH (AFRICAN) (Fringilla coelebs africana)
HAWFINCH (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
Missed most tours, we had a small group perch in an evergreen for scope views below Oukaimeden.
CRIMSON-WINGED FINCH (Rhodopechys sanguineus)
Small groups were seen on our hike above Oukaimeden. October is a good month for viewing this species, but it really depends on the weather up high.
TRUMPETER FINCH (Bucanetes githagineus zedlitzi)
A very good year for this species. They were fairly common around Boumalne Dades.
EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris)
Big groups were sitting up in the oak trees in the Zaer forest.
EURASIAN LINNET (Linaria cannabina)
RED CROSSBILL (NORTH AFRICAN) (Loxia curvirostra poliogyna)
A potential split in the near future. We called in a pair during our first stop below Oukaimeden. These are the Atlas Crossbills.
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)
Both goldfinches and serins were around in good numbers in the Dades Gorge.
EUROPEAN SERIN (Serinus serinus)
CORN BUNTING (Emberiza calandra)
We scoped a group foraging in a plowed field across the Massa River.
ROCK BUNTING (Emberiza cia)
Several in the narrowest part of the Dades Gorge.
CIRL BUNTING (Emberiza cirlus)
Good numbers this year which included a number a migrants.
HOUSE BUNTING (Emberiza sahari)
BARBARY APE (Macaca sylvanus)
We saw a "wild" troop in the cedar forest near Ifrane.
BARBARY GROUND SQUIRREL (Atlantoxerus getulus)
Our first were in the Dades Gorge, but also common around the Oued Massa.
FAT SAND RAT (Psammomys obesus)
Was THIS the bird of the trip? Hard not to love this cuddly creature.
SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN (Delphinus delphis)
A pod decided to bow ride with us during our pelagic trip. That was a cool experience.
Totals for the tour: 182 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa