White-crowned Wheatear

Day 2:  This was not scheduled as s birding day but rather to see the sights of Marrakech as it was our first visit. For us one day was enough – we started early and were able to walk to see everything we wanted as well as take in the souqs. We did also manage to start our bird list – Spotless Starling, Common Bulbul, House Bunting, White Stork were all easy to see around the city. Also had Lessor Kestrel over the Djeema.

Days 4: A drive up the Dades Gorge today was not really very successful from a birding standpoint but it was definitely worth doing as the scenery is spectacular. Next to the river we saw Barbary Partridge , Cetti’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler  and White Fronted Dipper

Days 5: An early start this morning to hit the Tagldit Track and get some larks. The part of the track you access in town starts off poorly because of the garbage but that doesn`t last too long and then the fun begins. Start by looking back at the town – with the mountains          

behind it it is worth getting up early for. As are the birds: Temminck’s Horned Lark, Lessor Short-toed Lark, Hoopoe Lark and Red-rumped Wheatear were the stars. Back for a late breakfast (the hotel had kept the restaurant open just for us because the knew we hadn’t eaten yet) and then off towards Merzouga. Birding enroute beside the road was all we really had time for but it turned up some good birds – White-capped and Mourning Wheatear were regulars  and Tawny Pipits were a treat.

We had decided to stay at the Xaluca in Merzouga because the last one had been so good but were quite disappointed – it would do but check out the Riad Marmouche – it looked good from the outside. The sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi are spectacular although becoming rather touristy.

Day 6: Today we had hired a bird guide and we were glad that we had as it saved a great deal of time – Desert Lark, Desert Sparrow, Desert Wheatear and Desert Warbler were all quite quickly in the bag. Then onto an area for Crested Lark and Fulvous Babbler that also turned up Spectacled Warbler. We then tried for the Pharaoh’s Eagle Owl but it was not back at its breeding site yet – although the walk back to the car gave us several warblers including Tristram’s.

Day 7: Working our way back to Boumaine – du -Dades we once again birded along the road –Long-legged Buzzard, Blue Rockthrush, Lanner, Barbary Falcon and Sparrowhawk.  Gave Tagldit Track one more try for the Thick--billed Lark but it still evaded us.

Day 8:Heading back to Marrakech for a late afternoon flight, we stopped at the reservoir outside Ouzazarte – finally saw Bar-tailed Lark and a couple of not so exotic Great Crested grebe,  Black-headed Gull and Little Egret. Going back over the High Atlas we saw Red-billed Chough and Grey Wagtail before arriving back in Marrakech.