Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) is considered an accidental visitor in Morocco. But based on recent observations, the species should be regarded as a migrant and wintering visitor in Morocco. For example, 4 birds were counted at Jbel Moussa in spring 2017 and 6 birds in spring 2016 (including 3 birds photographed together on 7 May).… Read More »
Almost 1500 White-headed Ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) counted yesterday by Said Lahrouz and his team at Merja Fouwarate (Fouarat), a peri-urban wetland located at Kenitra (north-west Morocco). A more detailed census the next day, 1 January 2018, revealed a total of 1430 individuals, including 600 males (Lahrouz et al. 2018). This is probably the biggest wintering… Read More »
Dispersion and overwintering of Spanish Imperial Eagles (Aquila adalberti) in Morocco, and northern Africa in general, is becoming regular and in relatively good numbers (for an endangered ‘sedentary’ species). As in previous years, this autumn at least 4 eagles crossed the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa. We say “at least” because not every bird… Read More »
Census of vultures and other raptors in the 2017 prenuptial migration on the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, Jbel Moussa – Morocco During the spring migration of 2017 at Jbel Moussa, and depending on the prevailing weather conditions and in particular with moderate westerlies, the census was carried out during 64 days from… Read More »
Yet another ‘big day’ for raptor migration (especially vultures) at the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. Last Friday, Rachid El Khamlichi, Cécile Krystelle and Radu Adrian counted: 2700 Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus). We are now used to seeing such big numbers crossing the Strait in late autumn (October/November). 4 Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus).… Read More »
A Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) captured and ringed at Ceuta on 7 November 2017 by the Chagra Ringing Group. The first record for the city of this northern species. In Morocco, there are only two confirmed records: one captured and ringed at Souss-Massa National Park in October 2013 (Ramírez et al. 2013), and another photographed… Read More »
Census of vultures and other raptors during the prenuptial migration 2016 on the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, Jbel Moussa – Morocco. During 68 days between 22 February and 20 August 2016, more than 24000 birds belonging to 20 species were counted on the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, in particular… Read More »
Over five thousands Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) migrate through northern Morocco twice a year, and an increasing number of Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppelli) are also migrating through the region (a paradox, since the latter species is declining in its West African breeding areas from where these vagrants are coming). Some of these vultures can end up… Read More »
The only viable wild population of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) exists in Morocco. The tiny wild population in Palmyra desert, Syria is unfortunately on the verge of extinction. There is also a semi-wild population in Turkey. In Europe, there are two reintroduction projects: one in the Alps (Waldrapp Project), and another in Andalusia, Spain… Read More »
The following describes the experience of Juan Ramírez Román and his friend Antonio Román Muñoz in northern Morocco. They visited the area around Jbel Moussa between 2 and 4 November to witness vulture migration. Afterwrd, they also made a short visit to lower Loukkos marshes. Both the English summary and the detailed Spanish version below… Read More »