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| Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita ©Adam Riley http://www.rockjumperbirding.com |
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Morocco is situated in the northwest corner of Africa, between c 21° and 36° N, and is basically an African country with a large Mediterranean region. Except for the extreme south that is part of the Sahara, rains fall mainly during the cool season (October - April) and the summers are hot and dry; drought prevails in the Saharan region throughout the year. Friendly people, great scenery and bird specialities; Morocco is one of the favourite destination for birders in search of endangered or rare species such as Bald Ibis, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Tawny Eagle, Eleonora's Falcon, and African Marsh Owl, as well as other species such as Dupont's Lark, Moussier's Redstart, Desert Warbler, Black-crowned Tchagra, and Desert Sparrow. The Country divides into a number of geo-physical regions, and this influences the birds that are found there. Mountains, 5 ranges are aligned along a NE - SW axis, and these include the Rif along the Mediterranean coast (2456m, Jbel Tidighine); the Central Plateau (1627m, Jbel Mtouzgane); the Middle Atlas (3340m, Jbel Bou-Naceur); the High Atlas (4167m, Jbel Toubkal) and the Anti-Atlas (3304m, Jbel Siroua). Despite high human and animal pressure, forests of broad-leaved and coniferous trees are still widespread. Atlantic Morocco includes rich agricultural plains and more barren and dry plateaux. Most of the original forest has been turned into matorral- or shrub-type vegetation after intensive cutting and grazing, but some has been well preserved (eg Forêt de la Mamora with Cork Oak in the Rharb) however, large tracts of eucalyptus have been planted. The Souss valley, with its unique Argan woodland, lies between the High and Anti-Atlas. Eastern Morocco, except for the area adjacent to the Mediterranean coast, is dry with especially hot summers and cold winters; the High Plateaux rise to over 1000m and are covered with a steppe type vegetation dominated by Artemisia herba-alba and Stipa tenacissima. Saharan Morocco lies to the south of the High and Anti-Atlas. In the Eastern part, palm oases stretch along the rivers (Oueds) but the region is mainly large stony regs (pebble desert) covered with Hammada scoparia; acacias thickets grow along the wadi bottoms. The drought is attenuated in a 15-200 km wide strip along the Atlantic coast, which receives moisture from the ocean; the coast is mainly rocky. The Birds Every year, millions of West European migrants go to and pass through Morocco, mainly from late July to early November in the autumn, and from March to May in the spring. Most, especially passerines, migrate by night or over-fly too high to be seen during the day; others, like waders and gulls, often stop at wetlands to refuel, and provide unforgettable sights. The Straits of Gibraltar is famous for concentrating soaring birds, especially storks and raptors. 120 species are regular winter visitors, including 34 that are at the southern limit of their wintering range. 115 other species have been recorded as accidental visitors, either from Europe and Asia (e.g. Great Knot and Pectoral Sandpiper); from Tropical Africa (e.g. Brown Booby and Lesser Flamingo); or from Northern America (e.g. Blue-winged Teal and Laughing Gull). Birding hotspots Several wetlands spread along the Atlantic coast that are rightly famous for their migrant and wintering waders and gulls. These include Merja Zerga, Lac de Sidi Bou-Rhaba, Sidi-Moussa-Oualidia lagoons, and the Souss and Massa estuaries along the North coast, Khnifiss lagoon and Dakhla and Cintra Bays along the Saharan coast. The islets off Essaouira shelter a colony of Eleonora`s Falcons. The Mediterranean coast includes two major wetlands: Sebkha Bou-Areg and the Moulouya estuary. Mountains shelter a rich avifauna; this can be seen best on the Plateau des Lacs in the Middle Atlas (Crested Coot, Levaillant's Woodpecker, etc.) and at Oukaimeden in the High Atlas (Atlas Shore Lark, Alpine Accentor, Rock Sparrow, & Crimson-winged Finch). Many desert-living species, including larks, wheatears and sandgrouses, are widespread in desert Morocco; others are more restricted in range, and birding hotspots include the temporary lake of Merzouga near Erfoud (waders and ducks in the desert!) bordered by the only large Moroccan sand dunes, the so-called Erg Chebbi (Desert Warbler, Brown-necked Raven, Desert Sparrow et al); and the Barrage Mansour-Eddahbi near Ouarzazate. The Souss valley is famous for Dark Chanting Goshawk and Tawny Eagle, and the Straits of Gibraltar for the impressive raptor migration. There are, of course, hundreds of other sites worth exploring for Ruddy Shelduck, Marbled Teal, Black-winged Kite, Booted and Bonelli's Eagles, Lanner and Barbary Falcons, Double-spurred Francolin, Purple Gallinule, Houbara and Great Bustards, Cream-coloured Courser, Desert Eagle Owl, Plain Swift, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Scrub and Tristram's Warblers, Fulvous Babbler or Black-crowned Tchagra... so, when you visit, explore for yourselves. |
Patrick Bergier
pbergier@yahoo.fr
Number of bird species: 444
Number of endemics: 1
Bald Ibis [Waldrapp] Geronticus eremita
Bald Ibis [Waldrapp] Geronticus eremita
Birdwatching Guide to Morocco
Peter Combridge and Alan Snook 64 pages, 16 col plates, b/w illus, 17 b/w maps. Arlequin Press 1997ISBN: 1900159651
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Finding Birds in Morocco: The Deserts
By Dave Gosney | Published by Easybirder | Softcover Booklet | 2009 | £7.50ISBN: 9781907316029
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Finding Birds in Morocco: The Deserts
By Dave Gosney | Published by Easybirder | DVD | 2009 | £15.95ISBN: 1907316035
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Prion Birdwatcher's Guide to Morocco
Patrick Bergier, Fedora Bergier Paperback - 172 pages (2003) Prion LtdISBN: 1871104092
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Birds of Morocco
by M. Thevenot, R. Vernon & P. Bergier. £45 from British Ornithologists' Union | PO Box 417, Peterborough PE7 3FX, UK Tel & Fax +44 (0) 1 733 844 820African Bird Club
WebsiteWith friendly people, great scenery, a good tourist infrastructure and excellent birding, Morocco is one of the favourite destinations for birders in North Africa and perhaps the best location to search for a number of rare and endangered species...
GOMAC - Groupe d'Ornithologie du Maroc
WebsiteLe GOMAC (Groupe d'Ornithologie du Maroc) est une association scientifique sans but lucratif, dont l'objectif principal est de contribuer à tout effort visant à protéger notre patrimoine naturel, en particulier les oiseaux sauvages et notamment les espèces menacées d'extinction...
Moroccan Rare Birds Committee
WebsiteThe Moroccan Rare Birds Committee (MRBC); or Commission d`Homologation Marocaine (CHM); was formed in 1995, and currently consists of 10 members (Patrick Bergier, Mostafa Fareh, Ahmed El Ghazi, Jacques Franchimont, Christian Pouteau, Ahmed Sayad, Valéry Schollaert, Michel Thévenot, Rae Vernon and G. Willem). It aims to gather data on rare or little known birds in Morocco, and thus to increase current knowledge of the Moroccan avifauna...
Morocco Bird Society
WebsiteA great resource for exchanging and or getting information on many aspects of birding in Morocco. If you intend visiting this area, then this is a great way get in contact with locals on specific site or species information. Contribute to our database and conservation efforts by submitting your vacation trip reports and sighting records to the society...
Morocco Bird Society Facebook Group
WebsiteContribute to our database and conservation efforts by submitting your vacation trip reports and sighting records to the society...
Save Moroccan Wetlands
WebsiteCampaigning for the conservation of wetlands and their wildlife in Morocco…
IBAs
WebsiteMauritius supports one of the densest concentrations of threatened bird species in the world. All seven endemic land bird species are threatened. Three other species are shared only with La Réunion. All these species are restricted range and belong to the Mauritius Endemic Bird Area (EBA) which covers the whole of the island. Large seabird populations on the northern islets include the sole Afrotropical and Indian Ocean colony of Herald (Round Island) Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana...
Massa Lagoon
WebsiteSatellite View
The Massa lagoon, situated an hours drive south of Agadir, is normally counted as Morocco's best bird reserve. In the lagoon, which is to large extent a river that ends in wide lake before it is sealed off from the sea by sand banks, you will find numerous rare birds...
This section sponsored by: 
*Trip Report Repository - Go-South
ReportThis has the very best and most up to date repository of trip reports for Morocco... from Patrick Bergier author of the fieldguide!
2001 [April] - Gerard Joannes
ReportMorocco looks like Arizona with more palm trees and fewer cactuses. Of course, there is less water and houses are different, just like the wildlife...
2001 [October] - Robin Griffiths
ReportOukaimeden is most noted for its Crimson-winged Finches. However, they can be elusive at the best of times. We hope to see the Atlas race of Shore Lark, both Red-billed and Alpine Choughs and Rock Sparrow. The drive up passes through a number of habitats and we will look out for Tristram`s Warbler and Levaillant`s Green Woodpecker...
2002 [December] - Regis Nossent
ReportMore an annotated list...
2003 [July] - Olivier Fontaine
ReportThis one week-trip was quite exhausting as we drove 2300 kms. Also, the aim was not to see a maximum of species but the southern specialities...
2003 [October] - Arnau Bonan
ReportWe went for birdwatching in Morocco in 1995, so we had some target species that we missed the previous trip, and most of the possible species that we expected to see, we could see them. We saw 182 species...
2004 [April] - Lutz Lücker
ReportSince we had less than 10 days for a 3400 km trip, we spent a lot of time driving and observing, very little on photography. Weather was mostly dry, just a few drops at night in Merzouga and rain in Zeida on the evening/night of the 15th. The only drawback was the wind that was a bit too strong on every other day. We managed approx.160 species. Not bad in those circumstances...
2004 [April] - M. A. Graham
ReportTaroudant is in the centre of the Sous Valley between the High Atlas and Anti Atlas. Definitely worth visiting in Spring.The surrounding countryside is alive with birds and easily accessed from the town...
2004 [December] - Bart Bos
Report...Despite a long walk, we failed to see the warbler (perhaps because of the wind), and only saw White-tailed Wheatear, Hoopoe Lark and Desert Wheatear...
2004 [February] - Justin Jansen
ReportDuring a week we did some bird watching in the south of Morocco, mainly because Max Berlijn was lacking Desert Sparrow and African Desert Warbler on his list...
2005 [February] - Marnix Jonker
Report...From our hotel balcony we observed a Wryneck, 2 Little Swifts, some Sardinian Warblers, some Serins and Yellow-legged Gulls...
2005 [March] - Jord Prangsma
Report...The barrage itself is not very interesting birding, we found one Great Cormorant. The ‘mountain pass’ north of the barrage offered however quite good birding, giving good views of Desert Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Moussier’s redstart and two far off individuals of an unknown Aquila (possibly Golden eagle). In the plains behind the pass we found high numbers of Tawny Pipit and unusual numbers of children trying to get a grasp on anything lose on our bikes. From Es-Sebt to Taroudant we saw Desert Wheatear, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Ortolan bunting and Black-shouldered Kite...
2005 [Spring] - Helen Graham
Report...The highlights were the huge numbers of Yellow Wagtails I saw every day, the Ortolan Bunting which landed in a field a few feet from me,and the flock of Night herons...
2006 [November] - Sunbird
Report...More desert birds followed the next day south of Goulimime: Red-rumped Wheatears, Fulvous Babblers, and Hoopoe Larks for a thrilling finale at sunset. En route we added migrating White Storks, Black-shouldered Kite, Long-legged Buzzard, Great Spotted Cuckoo, and Hoopoe. And for our evening meal at our delightful oasis auberge what else but camel tagine?..
2007 [December] -Brian & Isabel Eady
Report...On our arrival at Oued Sous we were greeted by a few more lifers, namely the beautiful Moussier’s Redstart and Sardinian Warbler accompanied by the plentiful European Stonechat. Across the water we noted quite a few of the Moroccan race of Great Cormorant ( moroccanus ). We sorted out a number of Audouin’s Gulls and a few Black-headed Gulls from the hundreds of gulls at the river mouth, but disappointingly we could only find one of the tern species, namely the Sandwich Tern...
2007 [February] - Erik Forsyth & David Hoddinott
ReportArriving in Morocco in the late afternoon we drove into the city of Agadir where we were greeted by a roosting Barbary Falcon on the roof of our hotel! What a cracking start to our Moroccan adventure. The next day had us visiting Oued Massa National Park, an estuary with reedbeds and surrounded by scrubland. Our first birds were the Moroccan race of European Magpie with the distinct blue-ear covert, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a pair of Barbary Partridge...
2007 [January] - Ben Macdonald - Gloster Birder
ReportHeading out of Taroudant, we had soon passed another two Black-winged Kites on telegraph wires. Our first stop was for a Peregrine Falcon which surprised us all in this habitat. Next, Said called another kite but on stopping we found it to be a pinkish-tinted falcon like a small peregrine - a Barbary Falcon, which gave good views overhead. Soon we began to climb into the Atlas and in addition to the complimentary Southern Grey Shrikes placed on every other wire, we soon picked up a covey of Barbary Partridges on the rocky slopes. We noted Moussier's Redstart on the climb, followed by a cracking male Rock Bunting. The best bird came during a higher stop in the form of a striking male Black Wheatear...
2007 [March] - Kevin Shaw
Report...Sous Massa National Park is a great way to spend the day, and Little Owl and Blue Rock Thrush greet us briefly as we get ready to wander by the river. Great birding here, as migrants are all around. We soon see Subalpine and Olivaceous Warblers, Chiffchaff and a female Moussier’s Redstart. Black-crowned Tchagra is also an important addition. The bird is known to be shy, and Pat doesn’t see it, but don’t worry – this one isn’t too shy, and soon she has it in full view – strongly patterned striped head, brown wings and grey body, long tail; we enjoy very good views. As we walk we see several Laughing Doves, and one is really special – the bird is sunning with one wing extended and we can all see the bluish wing panel, a really lovely little dove...
2007 [March] - Mark How
ReportFour of the Bishops Stortford Crew headed to Southern Morocco for a weeks birding, we had a good trip and only really missed the desert specialties as we spent little time there...
2008 [April] - Simon Woolley
ReportA brisk 10 day tour of the mountains and deserts of southern Morocco, with a couple of days on our own at the end...
2008 [June] - Georges Olioso & Jean-Marc Pons
Report...The avifauna of the region of Ifrane looks like that of the center of France. Most of the species are the same but are represented to it by different subspecies, sometimes even very different (Chaffinch, Wheatear, Jay). Some species are different : North African Tit Parus (teneriffae) ultramarinus, Atlas Flycatcher Ficedula (hypoleuca) speculigera, Levaillant’s Woodpecker Picus vaillantii and Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus or Crested Coot Fulica cristata...
2008 [March] - Bob Buckler
ReportOur group of seven ‘Wing-spanners’ toured the wonderful countryside of Morocco in early March, visiting the high Atlas Mountains, the stony plains of the ‘Hammada’, the southeast region of Tafilalt, (the area closest to the Sahara), the lush Sous valley and the coastal estuary of the Oued Sous and the Massa national park...
2008 [March] - Mark Finn
Report...In the same area Levaillant’s Woodpeckers and Horned Larks were also present. Larks and wheatears were conspicuous this year with Thick-billed Larks and Mourning Wheatears being recorded. In the extreme south we again connected with the declining Houbara Bustard and nomadic Desert Sparrow...
2008 [November] - Alan Miller
ReportOnce again, Anne and I booked a two-week package holiday through Eclipse Direct and stayed in Agadir at the Riu Hotel Le Tikida Beach on an ‘all-inclusive’ basis. We flew direct from Manchester to Agadir with Thompson Air with good flight times, departing Manchester at 10.00hrs on 5th, and Agadir at 14.35hrs on 19th. The flights were less than 4 hours long and there was no time difference between the UK and Morocco...
2009 [February] - Rick Taylor
ReportBird list not full report...
2009 [March] - Mark Finn
Report...In the same area Levaillant’s Woodpeckers and Horned Larks were also present. Larks and wheatears were conspicuous this year with Thick-billed Larks and Mourning Wheatears being recorded. In the extreme south we again connected with the declining Houbara Bustard and nomadic Desert Sparrow. Migration was generally slow this year with many birds covering large areas due to high rain fall levels in the Sahara Desert. On the coast waders were again present in good numbers plus a few seabirds offshore. North of Agadir the Northern Bald Ibis population appears to be stable or slightly increasing which is a good sign for the future...
2010 [February] - David Hoddinott
ReportOur tour started off with a trip to Oukaimeden, a beautiful site and ski resort in the High Atlas Mountains. An early start saw us leaving the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, and we were soon in the lush and very green countryside brought about by the season’s unusually high rainfall....
2010 [February] - Mark Beevers
ReportA pre-dawn start saw the tour depart from the ancient city of Marrakech towards the ski- resort of Oukaimeden in search of some very special high altitude species. En route we stopped at the village of Ait Ourir, where occasionally Western Jackdaws have been seen, here at the southern edge of their range...
2010 [March] - Christopher Hall
ReportThanks to the expertise of our local guide, we saw 152 species including many of the specialities of this exciting country such as Ruddy Shelduck, Marbled Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner and Barbary Falcons, Houbara Bustard, Cream-coloured Courser, Audouin’s Gull, Laughing Dove, Pharaoh Eagle Owl… ...Crimson-winged Finch and even the mega rare Bald Ibis! However, we didn’t just see all these birds, we saw them all really, really well.
2011 [April] - Mick Bell
ReportOur last visit saw us travel east from Marrakech over the High Atlas and as far as Boumalne du Dades, and whilst we picked up a number of the Moroccan specialties, this time we planned to venture further east to the edge of the Sahara with a view to seeing birds such as Desert Sparrow, Desert Warbler, Scrub Warbler, Pharaoh’s Eagle Owl, Fulvous Babbler, Brown-necked Raven and Blue-cheeked Bee eater. We also scheduled a diversion to Oukaimeden, for a second attempt at Crimson-winged Finch following an unsuccessful visit there in 2008...
2011 [March] - Mark Beevers
ReportAn early start on day one saw us leave a damp Marrakech for the ski resort of Oukaimeden, set high in the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. Roadside birds included the distinctive mauritanica race of Eurasian Magpie, which sports a distinct blue patch of bare skin behind the eye, along with a few White Storks sitting on their bulky nests, Red-rumped Swallows and Spotless Starlings.
2012 [April] - Ken Musgrove
Report... A flock of Pallid Swifts and a White Stork flew overhead as we exited the plane and a House Bunting sang from the airport building. After completing entry forms, passing through passport control and changing currency, we were at the Alamo car rental an hour or so later. As this was our first visit to Morocco we had decided to go upmarket and hire a 4x4. Again after a great deal of waiting, we completed the formalities (and observed two more House Buntings inside the terminal building) and were taken to our vehicle – a filthy Pajero and not the Toyota Prada we had pre-booked. This meant a trip across the city to the main office so that the car could be washed and cleaned, before we could be on our way...
2012 [February] - Mark Beevers
ReportDay one of the tour saw us leaving the bustling metropolis that is Marrakech for the snow-covered High Atlas. Our first scheduled stop was the village of Ait Ourir, where we quickly found a pair of Moroccan Wagtails on the river. Amongst the many Cattle Egrets here were several Little Egrets and some grubby White Storks, while 5 Little Ringed Plovers were on the gravel beds in front of us.
2012 [February] - Peterborough Bird Club
ReportIt is often really cold in mid February so a short adventure to a desert seemed like a good idea & that’s what we merry gang of a dozen did just a few weeks ago. I hadn’t flown from Luton for something like 20 years & was surprised how compact, relaxed & intimate it was – especially the security frisking...
2012 [March] - Ray Thorneycroft
Report...The trip was made by four birders: Mick Bellas, Ian Hedge, Chris Johnson, and Ray Thorneycroft. It was instigated a couple of months earlier, when Easyjet were advertising flights to Marrakesh for £88.return. Mick booked the flights, and the car. Chris worked up an itinerary, and booked all the hotels....
This section sponsored by:
Birdfinders
Tour OperatorMorocco is a land of great contrasts, from wide sandy Atlantic beaches to snow-capped mountains over 13,000 feet high, to sand and stone deserts. The birds are equally diverse, from rare and highly-endangered species like Northern Bald Ibis to enigmatic and difficult species like Desert Sparrow...
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Birding Tours in Morocco with Brahim
Tour OperatorBirding with BRAHIM is always a delightful experience because of my extensive experience in the field. I come from the tourist village of Merzouga which is 35km to the South of Rissani city. I am able to offer just such services at a very reasonable cost and can ensure that you will take back many happy memories of your visit to my beautiful country. You can contact me before you leave home…
Josele J. Saiz
Tour OperatorBetter known for his wonderful birder's guesthouse in the Pyrenees [Boletas]; Josele guides throughout Spain and Morocco...
Julian Sykes Wildlife Holidays
TourMorocco is arguably the best and most well-known of the North African Countries with a vast array of habitats and species to work through, this magical country also harbours many speciality birds, which are very difficult to find elsewhere in the Western Palearctic. During the holiday we will visit a diversity of habitats seeing many of the endemic and scarce species this country is famous for...
Rockjumper Birding Tours
Rockjumper Birding Tours Tour OperatorWith breathtaking scenery, great food, complex history and fabulous birding, Morocco has become a vital destination for serious and casual birders alike. To boot, the country harbors one of Earth’s most critically endangered birds, the Northern Bald Ibis or Waldrapp. We offer two tours to Morocco.
Wingspan Bird Tours
Tour OperatorWINGSPAN BIRD TOURS offer a range of exciting bird-watching holidays and Bird Tours throughout Spain, Morocco, Lesvos and Portugal. Our Bird-watching breaks range from day trips in Andalucia to 10 days in Morocco. We cater for beginners and accomplished birders alike, we offer good value, good company and great birding...
Moroccan Birds
BlogWe are two friends, Mohamed Amezian and Abdelhak Elbanak. We created this blog to share with you a varied stuff on birds, birding and ornithology in Morocco. Please feel free to browse, ask and why not contribute…
Discovering and Birding Morocco
WebsiteWelcome to Go South, the ultimate site for birwatchers visiting Morocco... A great site with info on birds and birding in Morocco as well as the natural environment as a whole there.
Easybirder
WebsiteHi, I’m Dave Gosney, the author of the Finding Birds in... series of books. I‘m in the process of updating the books and producing DVDs to go with them to give you an even better idea of where and how to find the best birds when you go birding abroad...
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This site was last updated on Saturday, 25th May 2013.