MOROCCO TRIP-MARRAKESH TO AGADIR-DAY 2

Up early before sunrise to make the most of the daylight, we left Marrakesh in the dark and headed south to Lalla Takerkoust Reservoir.

Takerkoust Reservoir

Our first stop produced a singing Common Cuckoo, a great start to the day! Sardinian Warbler and European Serin were also active in the early morning light.

Sardinian Warbler

At the lake, we found three Ruddy Shelduck on the water while Little Swift and Pallid Swift flew overhead.

Pallid Swift

A smart Black Redstart showed well, and a very confiding Little Owl and Laughing Dove posed nicely for photos.

Little Owl 

Laughing Dove

Two Rock Sparrows gave excellent close views, and several Plain Martins were zipping around the lake.

Plain Martin

Rock Sparrow

Exploring some nearby fields proved productive with Woodchat Shrike, Subalpine Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat and Iberian Chiffchaff. 

Subalpine Warbler

Woodchat Shrike

A short walk through a village brought friendly greetings from locals and plenty of House Bunting around the houses. Highlights here included a stunning Blue Rock Thrush and a pair of Black Wheatear.

Back at the lake, we saw Little Ringed Plover and several Green Sandpiper. The stars of the area were several beautiful male Moussier’s Redstart feeding in the lakeside bushes. Two Barbary Partridges also showed briefly. Then, an unforgettable moment, a superb Osprey perched on a telegraph pole, eating a large fish!

Moussier’s Redstart

Barbary Partridge

Osprey

In the afternoon, we explored the Agafay Desert, where persistence paid off with several singing Greater Short-toed Larks.

Before returning the hire car, we enjoyed a quick walk around Menara Gardens in Marrakesh, where several striking Maghreb Magpies gave a perfect end to a great day of birding.

Maghreb Magpie

Tomorrow we head into the mountains… looking forward to what we might find! 

CHESHIRE AND WIRRAL BIRD NEWS

9th March

20 Black-necked Grebes-Woolston Eyes-Permit ONLY

Eurasian Spoonbill-One flew from Decoy Marsh towards Pickerings Pastures-Hale

Black Redstart (fem) by coastguard station - Dove Point, Meols.

Good views of both Scaup (drake) and a Common Scoter - West Kirby Marine Lake.

2 Russian White-fronted Goose

-Burton RSPB

Slavonian Grebe-Sweeney Wetlands

Shore Lark-Still in field by the wall along the Gritstone Trail between the telephone mast and the Old Man O'Mow and Wheatear-Mow Cop

8th March

Slavonian Grebe-Sweeney Wetlands

Black Redstart (fem) by the coastguard station and the Landmark Stables -Dove Point, Meols.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose in field with Greylag Geese -Thornton Hough.

Greater Scaup-Adult on sea-Hilbre Island

Eurasian Spoonbill-Burton RSPB

Scaup (Drake) - West Kirby Marine Lake

MOROCCO TRIP-MARRAKESH TO AGADIR-DAY 1

This trip had been booked for over a year, and at last the day had arrived. I was travelling with Jack Pettit, Malc Curtin, Owen Parsons and Marc Hughes, and after months of talking about it, we were finally on our way.

After an early morning pickup by Marc and Owen, we met Jack and Malc at Manchester Airport. Before long, we were touching down in the vibrant city of Marrakesh, Morocco. 

Coming in to land at Marrakesh with the Atlas mountains in the background

With plenty of excitement and a full week of birding ahead of us, we collected the hire car and headed straight out of the city.

Driving south along some fairly dodgy roads (great for birds though!), we quickly started adding species to the list. Early sightings included Great Grey Shrike, the impressive Maghreb Magpie, Spotless Starling, and plenty of lively House Buntings.

Great Grey Shrike

Spotless Starling

Maghreb Magpie

House Bunting

Our first proper stop was the dammed lake at Lalla Takerkoust, and it turned out to be a brilliant spot. The weather was warm and sunny, and the surrounding countryside was much greener than we expected.

Lalla Takerkoust

We soon found several African Chaffinches, which looked and sounded quite different from the ones we see back in the UK. Two Moroccan Wagtails were also feeding nearby alongside the familiar White Wagtail.

Moroccan Wagtail

African Chaffinch

Then Jack suddenly shouted out, “Moussier’s Redstart!” Sure enough, a stunning male Moussier’s Redstart appeared and gave us fantastic views. Before long, a second bird joined it, giving us a brilliant start with one of the trip’s key target species.

Moussier’s Redstart

Nearby, Crested Lark and Thekla's Lark were displaying side by side, which made for a great comparison.

Thekla Lark 

Crested Lark

Eurasian Hoopoe flew overhead, and a flock of hirundines included Eurasian Crag Martin and Red-rumped Swallow. Two Little Owls were also seen perched on an old building, while European Serins were buzzing around.

Crag Martin

Little owl

As the day warmed up, butterflies filled the air, including lots of Painted Lady and a few Clouded Yellow.

Painted Lady 

Not far down the road, we were treated to a fantastic roadside Black Wheatear, which performed brilliantly on nearby buildings.

Black Wheatear

We also added Blue Rock Thrush, several Common Bulbul, a flyover Eurasian Spoonbill, and groups of Cattle Egret heading to roost.

Common Bulbul

Blue Rock Thrush

As the light began to fade, we made our way back to Marrakesh, already buzzing from a brilliant first day. If day one was anything to go by, the rest of the trip was going to be very special.