A DREAM DAY BIRDING IN THE MOROCCAN SAHARA-DAY 7

Some days in the field feel almost unreal, and today was one of those rare “pinch yourself” moments. Our team spent the day birding deep in the Moroccan Sahara, guided by Hamid, whose knowledge of his home patch made the experience truly special.

The adventure began the night before. Armed with a thermal imager, we wandered through the desert under a sky bursting with stars. Tiny Desert gerbils and Jerboas bounced across the sand like miniature kangaroos.

Desert Gerbils

Nearby, a pair of Subalpine Warblers roosted quietly in the bushes while Moroccan Toads croaked in the darkness. A few of us stayed wrapped in blankets on the veranda, soaking up the stillness and the incredible night sky.

At sunrise, the desert came alive. 

Its not every day in life you wake to the sun rising over the Sahara Desert

On a short walk, we spotted Ruddy Shelducks, three striking Great Grey Shrikes, and several migrating Subalpine Warblers. The fluty songs of Hoopoe Larks echoed across the sandy landscape, a sound that perfectly captured the spirit of the desert.

After breakfast, we headed out in two 4x4s, racing across the dunes and plains.

Along the way, we enjoyed fantastic views of Cream-coloured Coursers right from the jeep windows and Brown-necked Raven.

Brown-necked Raven

(c)Dennis Morrison

Cream-coloured Courser

 (c)Dennis Morrison

Our first stop was a small watering hole, where an unforgettable spectacle unfolded. The air suddenly filled with the calls of sandgrouse as more than a hundred Spotted Sandgrouse and dozens of Crowned Sandgrouse swooped in to drink.

Crowned Sandgrouse

(c)Dennis Morrison

Spotted Sandgrouse

(c)Dennis Morrison

Later, we visited a small Bedouin camp where Desert Sparrows hopped around the tents.

Me and Hammad Chillin 

Males and females were busy courting and nest-building while Fulvous Babblers squabbled over scraps of cake, and a Spanish Sparrow was seen.

Fulvous Babbler

(c)Dennis Morrison

Desert Sparrow

(c)Dennis Morrison

Spanish Sparrow

(c)Dennis Morrison

With warm tea in hand, we watched Woodchat Shrikes and more migrating warblers moving through the bushes.

Out on the open plains, we added Hoopoe Lark, Desert Wheatears, Maghreb Larks, and White-crowned Wheatears. 

Hoopoe Lark

(c) Jack Pettit

Then came another highlight when a small pale bird dashed across the sand and began to sing as an African Desert Warbler, a true specialist of this harsh landscape.

African Desert Warbler

(c)Dennis Morrison

Perhaps the most surprising moment came when a local Berber man guided us to a patch of desert vegetation where two perfectly camouflaged Egyptian Nightjars rested on the ground. Their sandy plumage blended almost invisibly with the desert floor.

Egyptian Nightjar

(c)Dennis Morrison

In the afternoon, we visited a large desert lake, an oasis bursting with birdlife.

Western Subalpine Warblers were singing. Greater Flamingos flew overhead while Black-winged Stilts, Kentish Plovers, and Avocets patrolled the shoreline. Ducks were everywhere, including Marbled Ducks, Ferruginous Ducks, Pochards, and Shovelers. Marsh Harriers cruised above the reeds, and a pale Booted Eagle drifted across the sky, and a Black-eared wheatear showed well.

Black-eared Wheatear

(c)Dennis Morrison

Western Subalpine Warbler

(c)Dennis Morrison

Greater Flamingo

(c)Dennis Morrison

Black-winged Stilt

(c)Dennis Morrison

As the day drew to a close, we took one final stroll around camp. Great Grey Shrikes were feeding their chicks nearby, while Cream-coloured Coursers and Bar-tailed Larks wandered across the sand. One persistent searcher even turned up a desert scorpion beneath a rock.

Cream-coloured Courser

(c) Jack Pettit

It was a day filled with unforgettable sightings, beautiful desert landscapes, and the kind of wildlife encounters that remind you why birding is such a joy. Tomorrow we head west toward the Atlantic coast, where new habitats and new birds await.

The Crew