Table Of Content, , ,
Rare birds in Morocco: report of the Moroccan Rare Birds
Committee (2007-09)
Patrick Bergier', Jacques FranchimonJ Michel Thevenof and the Moroccan Rare Birds Committed
,
Les oiseaux rares au Maroc rapport de la Commission d’Homologation Marocaine (2007-09). Apres
:
les quatre premieres syntheses triennales parues dans le Bulletin de FAfrican Bird Club (Bergier etal. 2000b,
2002b, 2005b, 2009c), ce nouveau rapport detaille les 252 donnees analysees entre 2007 et 2009, dont 222
ont ete acceptees soit un taux d’acceptation de 88%. Les rapports annuels correspondants ont ete publies
dans Go-SouthBidletin (Bergier etal. 2008, 2009b, 2010a).
Quinze especes / sous-especes ont ete signalees pour la premiere fois au Maroc. II s’agit des taxons
suivants : Fou masque Sula dactylatra, Fregate sp. cf. superbe Fregata sp. cf. magnificens, Heron pale Ardea
monicae, Milan noir d’Egypte Milvusaegyptius, Vautour de Riippell Gyps rueppelli, Gravelot de Leschenault
Charadrius leschenaultii, Goeland dominicain Larus dominicanus vetula, Alouette de Dunn Eremalauda
dunni Pipit a dos olive Anthus hodgsoni Grive obscure Turdus obscurus Prinia a front ecailleux Spiloptila
, , ,
clamans Fauvette de Moltoni Sylvia cantillans moltonii Pie-grieche meridionale (sous-espece nominale)
, ( )
Lanius m. meridionals Etourneau roselin Sturnus roseus et Moineau dore Passer luteus. A noter que, parmi
,
ces especes nouvelles, trois se sont averees etre reproductrices dans le sud du pays : le Goeland dominicain
s’est installe depuis 2006 sur la cote atlantique, et sa nidification a ete prouvee en 2009 a Khnifiss. Les deux
autres ont ete trouvees dans l’interieur de la region saharienne d’Oued Ad-Deheb sur la route d’Aousserd :
l’Alouette de Dunn dont la nidification a ete prouvee des 2007 et le Prinia a front ecailleux dont la
reproduction tres probable en 2008 a ete prouvee en 2009. D’autre part, les mentions du Pipit a dos olive et
de grive obscure representent, quant a elles, les premieres donnees de ces especes a l’echelle africaine. Nous
enregistrons egalement, au cours de la periode consideree, le deuxieme Aigle pomarin Aquilapomarina les
,
quatriemes Pelican blanc Pelecanus onocrotalus, Gravelot patre Charadriuspecuarius et Mouette de Franklin
Laruspipixcan, les sixiemes Bernache cravant Branta bernicla (dont le premier individu de la sous-espece
hrota a ventre pale), Oceanite fregate Pelagodroma marina Taleve d’Allen Porphyrio alleni Mouette atricille
, ,
Larus atricilla et Bouvreuil pivoine Pyrrhulapyrrhula, les sixieme et septieme Mouettes a tete grise Larus
cirrocephalus enfin les septieme et huitieme Goelands a ailes blanches Larusglaucoides.
,
T
heinitialfourtriennialreportsoftheMoroccan 2006 along the country’s southern Atlantic coast,
Rare Birds Committee (MRBC) appeared in and breeding was proven at Khnifiss in 2009
Bull. ABC in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2009. This (Bergier etal. 2009a). The two other species occur
fifth report includes 252 records for 2007-09 (see inland in the Saharan region of Oued Ad-Deheb
Table 1). Some 222 were accepted (acceptance on the Aousserd road: breeding by Dunn’s Lark
rate 88%), including 1 5 taxa new for Morocco: was first proven there in 2007 (Copete etal. 2008),
Masked Booby Sula dactylatra (Magnificent?) while Cricket Warbler was considered very likely
,
Frigatebird Fregata sp. cf. magnificens, Pallid b&reeding in 2008 (T. Pettersson etal. in Thevenot
Heron Ardea cinerea monicae Yellow-billed Kite Bergier 2008b) and was proven in 2009 (L. G.
( )
Milvus aegyptius RiippelFs Vulture Gyps rueppelli R. Evans et al. in Bergier et al. 2010b). On the
,
Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii, other hand, Olive-backed Pipit and Eyebrowed
Kelp (Cape) Gull Larus dominicanus vetula, Thrush represent the first records in Africa. Also
Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni, Olive-backed noteworthy are the second Lesser Spotted Eagle
Pipit Anthus hodgsoni, Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus Aquila pomarina, the fourth Great White Pelican
obscurus, Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans, Pelecanus onocrotalus, Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius
Moltoni s Warbler Sylvia cantillans moltonii, pecuarius and Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan,
( )
Southern Grey Shrike (nominate race) Lanius the sixth Brent Goose Branta bernicla (including
m. meridionalis, Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus and the first mention of the pale-bellied race hrota),
Sudan Golden Sparrow Passer luteus. Three of White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina,
these new species have been proven to breed in the Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni, Laughing Gull
south ofthe country. Kelp Gull has appeared since Larus atricilla and Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula
40-BullABC V0II8 N0 1 (2011) Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergier etal.
pyrrhula, rhe sixth and seventh Grey-headed Gulls (except those records subsequently examined by
Larus cirrocephalus, and the seventh and eighth the MRBC). The second pair indicates the number
Iceland Gulls L. glaucoides. Annual reports for of records accepted by MRBC and published in
the period were published in Go-South Bulletin previous triennial reports, and the number ofbirds
(Bergier et al. 2008, 2009b, 2010a). involved. The last pair indicates the number of
The updated list of species considered by records accepted by MRBC in 2007-09, and the
MRBC
is available at http://www.go-south.org number ofbirds involved. For rare or little-known
and includes true vagrants (i.e. species with <30 species, only the two last pairs are presented. The
records) and rare or little-known species whose systematic list follows the sequence of species
current status is inadequately known. We strongly for which details are required by MRBC (www.
urge visiting birdwatchers to submit descriptions go-south.org/lists/liste_oiseaux_maroc_annexe4.
MRBC
of relevant species to the Secretary: Prof. pdf).
Jacques Franchimont, Quartier Abbas Lemsaadi,
rue n°6, n°22, 30.000 Meknes V.N., Morocco; List of accepted records
e-mail: [email protected] Brent Goose Branta bernicla AV (4/14, 1/1,
4/16)
Presentation of data
2006 (06/60) Zaers, Sale beach, first-winter, 23-30
The presentation of data follows the pattern of November, photo (N. Aransay)
MRBC
reports for 1995-97, 1998-2000, 2001- 2006 (06/62) Tarfaya, Khnifiss lagoon, six, 10
03 and 2004-06 (Bergier et al. 2000b, 2002b, March (A. C. Lees & R. D. Moores)
2005b, 2009c). For all species, the following 2007 (07/62) Tarfaya, Khnifiss lagoon, 21 March
sequence has been used: (T. A. Olsen, K. S. Olsen, H. Hveding & K.
• English and scientific names Bekkeli)
• Status according to the following codes: 2008 (08/55) Tarfaya, Khnifiss lagoon, eight adults,
&
RB Resident 19 February (T. Pettersson, K. Mild P.
Waern)
MB
Migrant breeder
OB There are 12 sightings for Morocco, all but
Occasional breeder
one referring to the dark-bellied race bernicla.
FB Former breeder Record 06/60 refers to pale-bellied hrota. Radi
PM
Passage migrant et al. (2009) listed other sightings at Khnifiss in
WV Winter visitor 2007-08, unfortunately not submitted to the
ow MRBC, and presented a synthesis of the occur-
Occasional winter visitor, rence of the species in Morocco. An additional
otherwise migrant (MB, PM)
record of a juvenile at Oualidia on 18 December
AV
Accidental visitor (<30 records) 2007 (Y. Kaiser et al.) is not mentioned in Radi
F(AV) Former accidental visitor (not et al. (2009).
recorded since 1899)
WV
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus senator
? Indicates doubt concerning status
(-/-, 5/10, 2/2)
• Details of: year, MR.BC file number, region 2007 (07/19) Souss, Souss estuary, female, 27 March
(see map), site, number of birds (one unless (D. Watson & E. Allchin)
otherwise stated), age, sex, other data if 2008 (08/03) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Sebkha
applicable, date(s) of observation, and Bou-Areg, adult female, 8 January, photo (D.
recorder(s) name(s) Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar)
• Comments That at the Souss estuary was first seen on 16
For accidentals, six numbers in brackets January (A. Green in www.go-south.org) and was
follow the status code. The first two indicate the then seen by many birdwatchers until 27 March,
number of records in the files of the Centrale the latest date for this species on the Atlantic coast
Ornithologique Marocaine prior to the formation (Thevenot et al. 2003).
of MRBC, and the number of birds involved
Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergier etal. BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) -41
Rif
1.1 TangierPeninsula
1.2 Jbala
1.3 High Rif
1.4 Southern Rif
1.5 Eastern Rif
North Atlantic Plains & Hills
Rharb
II.1
II.2Prbrif
II.3 Sal's
Zemmour
11.4
11.5Zaer
Middle Atlantic Plains &
Plateaux
lll.l Chaouia
2 Doukkala
III.
II1.3Abda
111.4 Chiadma
5Plateau des Phosphates
III.
111.6 Tadla
III.7Rehamna
111.8 Srarhna
111.9 Haouz & Jbilet
Central Plateau
IVCentralPlateau
Milddle Atlas
V.1 Western Middle Atlas
V.2 Eastern MiddleAtlas
High Atlas
Haha
VI.1
VI.2 Western HighAtlas
VI.3 CentralHighAtlas
VI.4 Eastern HighAtlas
Eastern Morocco
VII.1 Plains ofEastern Morocco
VII.2 Hills ofEastern Morocco
VI1.3 High Moulouya
VI1.4 Middle Moulouya
VII.5 High Plateaux
VI1.6 Saharan Atlas
Souss
VIII Souss
Anti-Atlas
IX.1 Western Anti-Atlas
IX.2 CentralAnti-Atlas
IX.3EasternAnti-Atlas
IX.4 Sarhro
EastSaharan Morocco
X.1 South Eastern Sahara
X.2 Tafilalt
X.3 Dadds-Draa
X.4 Middle Draa
West Saharan Morocco
XI.1 LowerDraa
XI.2 Tarfaya
XI.3 SaquiatAl-Hamra
XI.4 OuedAd-Deheb
Figure 1. Map showing the regions ofMorocco used in this report.
Carte delimitant les regions du Maroc utilisees dans ce rapport.
42-BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergier etal.
Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris AV (9/13, White-headed x Ruddy Duck Oxyura
10/13, 1/1)
leucocephala x O. jamaicensis (0/0, 5/9, 1/1)
2008 (08/29) Tangier Peninsula, Mdiq, male, 19 2009 (09/08) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, adult male,
February (M. Amezian & I. R. [ hompson) 14 March, photo (I. Cherkaoui etal.)
Twentieth record for Morocco, on a date and The first record ofa hybrid since 1998 (Bergier et
place consistent with the usual pattern. al. 2000a, 2000b).
Two
other records ofsingles at Smir marsh in
May 2007 and February 2008 (K. Bensusan, I. R. Manx Shearwater Puffinuspuffinus PM, OW
Thompson, M. Amezian, C. Perez, J. Cortes) have (-/-, 2/79+, 2/301+) "
not been submitted. 2006 (06/59) Souss, offAgadir, 300+, 29 December,
photo (Avifauna / S. Arvidsson)
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala WV, 2008 (08/11) Doukkala, between Azemmour and
OB, PM? (-/-, 10/19, 8/25) El Jadida, stranded, 6 January, photo (Mn &
2004 (04/45) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, juvenile male Mme Menahezefide B. Maire)
or female, 26 December, photo (L. Bassin et A record number offAgadir: Manx Shearwater is
al.) probably common along the Atlantic coast in late
2006 (06/33) Plains ofEastern Morocco, Moulouya autumn and winter but remains under-recorded.
estuary, four females and three young, 22 In the same area and year (2006), the species
& — —
October, photo (D. Jerez Abad R. Ramirez
was also seen albeit in smaller numbers by
Espinar)
A. Blomdahl in November (one in the harbour
2007 (07/42) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, female or
on 16th and seven offshore on 29th) and by
juvenile, 5 November (B. Maire) & J.
2007 (07/47) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, female or Lidster B. Bland in early December (one off-
shore on 2nd). In 2007, one was at Cap Rhir on
immature, 18 November, photo (B. Maire)
2008 (08/04) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage 18 February (S. Sorensen & J. Speich) and 50 off
Agadir on 8 November (B. Bland). The bird in
Arabet, adult male, 7 January, photo (D. [erez
Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar) Doukkala was found dead after a week of strong
2008 (08/06) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage winds and rain.
Arabet, two adult males, 12 January, photo (D.
Jerez Abad etal.) WOilWson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus PM,
2008 (08/40) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Sebkha (-/-, 0/0, 1/1)
Fida Ameziane, Nador, one male and three 2006 (06/50) Souss, 6 km offshore, north-west of
adult females, 9 November (D. Jerez Abad & Agadir, adult, 23 August (F. Jiguet)
R. Ramirez Espinar) First record of a Wilson’s Storm-petrel for many
2009 (09/07) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, three adult years and the first analysed by the MRBC. Place
males, 14 March, photo (I. Cherkaoui etal.) and date consistent with the migration ofthis spe-
2009 (09/44) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, four adult cies, which moves south to its breeding grounds in
males and one female, 3 April, photo (F. Ducry August to November (Thevenot etal. 2003).
&
P. Zeller)
2009 (09/53) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, two adult
White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina
males, 17 May, photo (I. Cherkaoui) AV
(4/33+, 1/1, 1/3+)
First record at the Moulouya estuary, where 2006 (06/41) Souss, off Agadir, at least three, 29
five were still present on 1 November 2006 June (P. & C. Crouzet)
(V. Schollaert). At Sidi Bou-Rhaba there are Patricia & Claude Crouzet organise fishing tours
only three previous records: two mentioned by off Agadir and regularly see these ‘grey-backed
Thevenot et al. (2003) and one acceped in 2004 little birds that walk on the water’. Jiguet (2007)
(Bergier etal. 2007). Future breeding is possible as described these records. The only previous record
sightings have recently increased dramatically. In analysed by the MRBC was also offAgadir, on 31
Morocco, White-headed Duck is known to breed March 1997 (Bergier etal. 2000a).
only at Douyiet where breeding has occurred
almost regularly since 2000.
Rare birds in Morocco, 2007—09: Bergier etal. BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) - 43
Masked Booby Sula dactylatra AV (0/0, 0/0, Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris PM, WV, RB/
m) BM
? (-/-, 4/4, 9/9)
2006 (06/26) Tarfaya, between Tantan Plage and 2006 (06/46) Souss, Massa estuary, 30 December
Oued Chebeika, near-adult, 16 January (R. (D. Bryant)
Baeta etal) 2007 (07/26) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, 15
A record of c.10 off Oued Ad-Deheb, on 10 April (B. Maire & J.-M. Maculet)
May 1947 (Bierman & Voous 1950), was sub- 2007 (07/29) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, adult,
sequently rejected (Oreel & Voous 1974). Two 21 March (T. Gullick)
2007 (07/35) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, adult,
adults or subadults were reported from a ferry
en route between Madeira and Malaga, c.300 8 April (I. Cherkaoui & J. del Hoyo)
2007 (07/46) Rharb, Tahadart marshes, 8 November
nautical miles west ofCasablanca (Morocco) on 9 (M. Amezian & I. R. Thomson)
November 2002. The nearest colonies are in the 2008 (08/13) Plains ofEasternMorocco, Moulouya
West Indies (2,500 pairs) and on islands in the estuary, 16 March, photo (M. Boumaaza)
South Atlantic (5,000 pairs: Carboneras 1992). 2008 (08/30) Tangier Peninsula, Mdiq, 19 February
There are just five records ofMasked Booby in the (M. Amezian etal.)
Western Palearctic: two in Spain (10 October and 2009 (09/02) Rharb, Merja Bargha, adult, 27
14 December 1986, in Andalucia, near Cadiz and January (A. Qninba etal.)
Malaga, perhaps the same bird), and another in 2009 (09/10) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, adult,
French / Spanish waters on 3 September 2003 in 30 March (I. Cherkaoui)
the Gulf of Gasgogne / Biscay (http://www.orni- Fourth record at Massa, and second in winter
thomedia.com/pratique/identif/ident_art37_2.
htm; Fremont & CFJN 2005, de Juana 2006); therBer(eTehdeivngenorteceotradl.ed200a3t,tBheergiLeorweetral.L2o0u0k4k)o.s
these are the only European records. The fifth
marshes in the late 19th century (Irby 1895)
Western Palearctic record is from the eastern but the species dramatically declined during the
Mediterranean, off Israel (an adult on 16 July 1970s (Pineau & Giraud-Audine 1979), before
2004: http://www.israbirding.com/irdc/bulletins/
recovering during the 1980s and 1990s (Thevenot
bulletin_6/). et al. 2003) and there are now at least a dozen
booming males (Qninba etal. 2008).
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus AV
(2/2, 1/1, 1/1) Western Reef Heron Egrettagularis AV (18/19,
2003 (03/39) Tangier Peninsula, Oued Alian
2 2 2 2
estuary, Tangier, adult, 1 1 September (J. 20/09, / ()09/21) Chiadma, Essaouira, 18 April, photo
Ramirez Roman etal)
(T. Todorov)
This bird had just arrived from Spain and a wild 2009 (09/23) Souss, Souss estuary, 1 April (P.
origin is not certain. Great White Pelican is Dhaluin etal)
almost annual on the Spanish side of the Strait, These two were ol the dark morph.
either alone or in small groups (up to seven in
September 2006), or mixed with White Storks Great Egret Egretta alba WV, PM (-/-, 31/55,
Ciconia ciconia.
33/65+)
2005 (05/48) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, two
(Magnificent?) Frigatebird Fregata sp. cf. adults, 20 March, photo (O. Fontaine & F.
AV?
magnificens (0/0, 0/0, 1/1) Bouzendorff)
2009 (09/54) Souss, Massa, adult female, 10 April 2006 (06/29) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, 4-10
&
(A. Siegmund D. Masur) September, photo (GOMAC)
First mention of a frigatebird in Morocco. 2006 (06/30) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage
Although Magnificent Frigatebird is the most Mohamed V, four adults, 17 September (D.
likely, the description did not permit the MRBC Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar)
to positively identify the bird to species. 2006 (06/32) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage
Mechra Homadi, adult, 1 October, photo (D.
Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar)
44 -BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergieretal.
2006 (06/36) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage 2008 (08/12) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage
Arabet, 5 November, photo (D. Jerez Abad & Mechra Homadi, two adults, 20 March, photo
R. Ramirez Espinar) (D. Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar)
2006 (06/66) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, 26 2008 (08/16) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, three,
March (A. B. van den Berg) 1 1 March, photo (H. van Diek)
2007 (07/03) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage 2008 (08/42) Plains ofEastern Morocco, Moulouya
Mohamed V, four, 14 January (D. Jerez Abad estuary, adult, 23 November (D. Jerez Abad &
&
R. Ramirez Espinar) R. Ramirez Espinar)
2007 (07/04) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage 2008 (08/43) Rharb, Larache, 7 November (B.
Mechra Homadi, four, 21 January (D. Jerez Maire)
&
Abad R. Ramirez Espinar) 2008 (08/46) Tafilalt, Dayet Srij, Merzouga, adult,
2007 (07/11) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, 28 19 November, photo (M. Gerber etal.)
January, photo (GOMAC) 2008 (08/50) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage
2007 (07/12) Doukkala, Sidi Moussa-Oualidia, 1 Mohamed V, adult, 18 December, photo (D.
March (B. Maire etal.) Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar)
2007 (07/21) Doukkala, Sidi Moussa-Oualidia, 2009 (09/01) Saquiat Al Hamra, Barrage de
adult, 31 March (D. Jerez Abad etal.) Layoune, two adults, 6 January (A. Qninba,
2007 (07/22) Dades-Draa, Barrage Mansour M. Radi & A. El Idrissi Essougrati)
Eddahbi, 2 January (O. Bondesson etal.) 2009 (09/15) Dades-Draa, Barrage Mansour
2007 (07/25) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, 1-2, Eddahbi, 31 March (A. B. van den Berg etal.)
15 April, photo (B. Maire etal.) 2009 (09/31) Doukkala, Oualidia, adult, 2 January
2007 (07/37) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage H. Hansen)
(J.
Mohammed V, seven&adults, 30 September, Great Egret is now regular in northern Morocco.
photo (D. Jerez Abad R. Ramirez Espinar) &
Following the synthesis by Thevenot Bergier
2007 (07/39) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage
(2008a), records to the north of a line El Jadida-
Arabet, two&adults, 14 October, photo (D. Oujda are no longer considered by MRBC
Jerez Abad R. Ramirez Espinar)
(decision of 12 November 2007).
2007 (07/41) Rharb, Larache, five, 21 October,
Sightings in desert areas of Morocco remain
photo (B. Maire etal
2007 (07/50) Plains of Ea.s)tern Morocco, Barrage scarce. At Barrage de Layoune, two were present
Mohamed V, two adults, 21 December, photo in December 2007-January 2008 (Y. Kayser, M.
&
(D. Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar) Radi A. El Idrissi), the southernmost locality
2007 (07/58) Rharb, Lower Loukos marshes, 4+, 14 where the species has been seen in Morocco to
&
March (T. A. Olsen etal.) date (Thevenot Bergier 2008a).
2007 (07/65)TangierPeninsula, Mdiq,9 November
(I. R. Thompson & M. Amezian) Pallid Heron Ardea {cmerea) monicae AV (0/0,
2008 (08/01) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage 0/0, 2/2)
Arabet, adult, 7 January, photo (D. Jerez Abad 2009 (09/43) Oued Ad-Deheb, Hoja Llamera,
&
R. Ramirez Espinar) Dakhla Bay, 20 February-22 May, photo
2008 (08/02) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Sebkha (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.
Bou-Areg, two adults, 7 January, photo (D. php?s=6c0cf0e2d4dfcf3b747flfelccdbafb6
Jerez Abad & R. Ramirez Espinar) &t=137850, P. Vantieghem etal., P. Bergier)
2008 (08/05) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Barrage 2009 (09/49) Tarfaya, Khnifiss, 23April (P.Adriaens
&
Arabet, adult, 12 January (D. Jerez Abad R. etal.)
Ramirez Espinar) First Moroccan record of this species endemic to
2008 (08/07) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Sebkha the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania.
Bou-Areg, three adults, 12 January, photo (D.
Jerez Abad et al) Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius AV (0/0,
2008 (08/08) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Sebkha
Bou-Areg, adult, 2 January, photo (I. 200/008, 1/1()08/20) Central High Atlas, Tizi-n’Tichka, 8
Cherkaoui)
April, photo (A. B. van den Berg)
Rare birds in Morocco, 2007—09: Bergier etal. BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) ~ 45
First record for Morocco and north-west Africa. Black Vulture Aegypius monachus AV, FB
The bird originated from eastern Africa [M. a. (13/16, 0/0, 1/1)
aegyptius rather than from western Africa (M. a. 2003 (03/38) Tangier Peninsula, Punta Ceres,
)
parasitus) {per D. Forsman). young, 5 September (J. Ramirez Roman etal.)
First record accepted by the MRBC. The nearest
Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus RB 2/2, breeding population, in Spain, is largely sedentary
7/10) but individuals occasionally wander to Morocco,
2007 (07/27)WesternHighAtlas,SidiChamarouch, more exceptionally further south.
two adults, 29 May Oates)
(J.
2007 (07/31) Western High Atlas, Jbel Toubkal, Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus AV (24/30+,
June 2007, photo (G. Adellach)
3/3, 2/2)
2008 (08/52) Western High Atlas, Oukai'meden, 2008 (08/27) Oued Ad Deheb, 50 km north of
adult, 29 December (M. Tingley) Dakhla crossroads, adult male, 29 February
2009 (09/12) Western High Atlas, Oukai'meden, (M. Thevenot & P. Bergier)
&
pair, 20 April, photo (T. Todorov R. El 2009 (09/45) Tafilalt, Goulmima, adult male, 23
Khamlichi) March, photo (F. Ducry & P. Zeller)
2009 (09/19) Western High Atlas, Oukai'meden, MRBC
Fourth and fifth records analysed by the
adult, 6 April, photo (A. B. van den Berg et
on dates consistent with the spring migration pat-
al)
2009 (09/50) Western High Atlas, Oukai'meden, tern through the western Mediterranean. Most
adult, 4 May, photo (A. Mayence) sightings refer to males, which are more easily
2009 (09/51) Western High Atlas, Oukai'meden, identified than females / immatures.
pair, 1 May, photo (P. Vantieghem etal)
Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates
All these records are from the Toubkal-
RB
Oukaimeden area, especially the ski resort of (-/-, 2/2, 1/1)
2006 (06/47) Souss, between Oulad Teima and
Oukai'meden. The species is Critically Endangered
Taroudant, adult, 31 December (D. Bryant)
in Morocco where it survives in just two areas,
MRBC
the Toubkal-Oukaimeden massif (Western High Seventh record analysed by the but only
Atlas) and the Mgoun-Tessaoute massif (Central the third to be accepted. All three are from the
High Atlas). Numbers are small but seem to have Souss plain, the unique region where the species
recently increased in the Toubkal-Oukaimeden possibly still breeds.
massif, where the appearance of new pairs in In spring 2007, a team of five Spanish birders
well-frequented areas, such as the ski resort at thoroughly searched for the species in the Souss
Oukai'meden, has resulted in a large increase in but failed to find it (J. L. Copete etal).
sightings.
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax RB (-/-, 10/1 2/2)
1 ,
Riippell’s Vulture Gyps rueppelli AV/PM? (0/0, 2006 (06/27) Tarfaya, 15 km south ofTantan Plage,
0/0, 2/2) third- or fourth-year, 18 January, photo (R.
2002 (02/40) Tangier Peninsula, Jbel Moussa, Baeta etal.)
young, 18 June Ramirez Roman & S. Solis 2006 (06/38) Souss, Massa estuary, juvenile or
(J.
Gomez) second-year, 28 October (D. Walsh,A. Gregory
&
2006 (06/71) Tangier Peninsula, Jbel Moussa, Gullivers Natural History Holidays)
young, 24 August (J. Ramirez Roman etal.) Typical records of immatures on post-breeding
First records submitted to the MRBC. Dies et al. dispersal.
(2008) report an immature on 27 May, two oth-
AV
ers on 29 May and up to five on 15 June 2006, Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquilapomarina (0/0,
with Griffon Vultures Gypsfulvus at Ceuta, wait- 1/1 , 1 /1)
ing for favourable weather to cross the Strait of 2007 (07/68) Tangier Peninsula, Punta Ceres, adult
Gibraltar. / subadult, 14 September (J. Ramirez Roman
etal)
46-BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergier etal.
Second Moroccan record following that at 7
Merzouga in 1996 (Bergier etal. 1997). In 2008, 6
very small numbers in spring and autumn, were 5
detected on the Spanish side of the Strait of 4
Gibraltar (Onrubia et al. 2009a). 3
2
Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti AV, 1
OB
FB, (-/-, 0/0, 2/2) 0
2006 (06/63) Lower Draa, 1 1 km west-northwest of
Taman, second-year, 16 December 2006 and
8 February 2007, photo (C. Batty et al., M. Number ofrecords of Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
Lopez et al.) in Morocco by fortnight {n=26)
2007 (07/67) Tangier Peninsula, Punta Ceres, first-
year, 14 September (J. Ramirez Roman etal) Barbary Falcon Falcopelegrinoides RB poorly
known (-/-, 60/70+, 22/23)
Spanish Imperial Eagle is largely sedentary but
2004 (04/46) Doukkala, Cap Beddouza, adult, 27
a few immatures cross the Strait and occasion-
December, photo (L. Bassin etal.)
ally migrate as far south as tropical West Africa
& 2004 (04/47) Haha, Tamri, adult, 28 December,
(Gonzalez Oria 2004).
photo (L. Bassin etal.)
First records accepted by
2004 (04/48) Haha, Tamri, adult, 7 November,
the MRBC. The Lower Draa
photo (A. B. van den Berg)
sighting is the southernmost 2006 (06/39a) Souss, Agadir Kasbah, adult, 23
certain record in Morocco; October (D. Walsh, A. Gregory & Gullivers
many previous sightings in Natural History Holidays)
desert areas were not accepted 2006 (06/39b) Haha, Paradise Valley, Immouzer
by Thevenot et al. (2003) due Ida-Ou-Tanane, adult, 27 October (D. Walsh,
&
to the possibility of confusion A. Gregory Gullivers Natural History
with young Tawny Eagle which Holidays)
recalls young Spanish Imperial 2006 (06/51) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Sa'fdia,
Eagle. adult, 2 November, photo (V. Adriaens, V.
Schollaert etal.)
Figure 2. Second-year Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila 2006 (06/65) Dades-Draa, east of Ouarzazate,
adalberti, near Tantan, 8 February 2007 (M. Read). The immature, 23 January, photo (W. Price)
southernmost certain record in Morocco. 2007 (07/01) Souss, near Aoulouz, adult, 2 January
(D. Bryant)
Aigle iberiqueAquila adalberti de deuxieme annee, pres
de Tantan, 8 fevrier 2007 (M. Read). La donnee la plus 2007 (07/05) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Melilla,
&
meridionale au Maroc. adult female, 16 January (D. Jerez Abad R.
Ramirez Espinar)
AV 2007 (07/09) Tafilalt, Erfoud, adult, 17 February,
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
photo (M. Altierri etal.)
(18A.29, 4/5, 1/5) 2007 (07/17) Dades-Draa, Oued Izerki near
2006 (06/40) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Melilla,
Ouarzazate, adult, 2 January, photo (O.
three adult m&ales and two females, 16 April (D. Bondeson, I. Sandahl etal.)
Jerez Abad R. Ramirez Espinar) 2007 (07/20) Haha, Tamri, adult male, 1 April (D.
Six other possible Red-footed Falcons accompa- Jerez Abad etal.)
nied these birds but could not be identified with 2007 (07/53) Dades-Draa, Boumalne du Dades,
certainty. adult, 23 November, photo (P. Komi)
Most of the 26 Moroccan records (including 2007 (07/54) Haha, Tamri, adult, 2 April, photo (A.
three not submitted to the MRBC) are from April B. van den Berg)
and early May. The earliest is from 17 March. 2008 (08/21) Tafilalt, Jorf, 25 March, photo (A. B.
van den Berg)
Only four are from autumn.
2008 (08/38) Haha, Tamri, adult and immature, 10
October, photo (A. B. van den Berg etal.)
Rare birds in Morocco, 2007—09: Bergier etal. BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) -47
2008 (08/39a) Eastern High Atlas, gorges du Ziz, 2008 (08/14) Rharb, Lower Loukkos marshes, two
&
adult, 3 March, photo (F. Jiguet) adults, 30 March (J. Franchimont F. Touati
2008 (08/3%) Haha, Tamri, adult, 6 March, photo Malih)
(F. Jiguet) 2008 (08/31) Rharb, Lower Loukkos marshes, 2
2008 (08/44) Souss, Massa, immature, 3 November, April, photo (M. Amezian & I. R. Thompson)
photo M. Fenerole) 2008 (08/32) Tangier Peninsula, Mdiq, 12 March,
(J.
&
2008 (08/45) Souss, Arazane, adult, 16 November, mist-netted, photo (M. Amezian I. R.
photo (M. Gerber etal.) Thompson)
2009 (09/14) Souss, Souss estuary, adult, 15 April Spotted Crake is a regular passage migrant (albeit
(A. B. van den Berg etal.) much rarer in the autumn) and an occasional win-
2009 (09/37) Oued Ad"-Dehab, Taourta, juvenile, ter visitor. MRBC has decided to remove Spotted
20 April, photo (P. Vantieghem etal.) Crake from the list of species considered from 1
On
the Mediterranean coast near Melilla, Barbary January 2009 (decision 16 November 2008).
Falcon occurs in sympatry with Peregrine Falco
PM
peregrinus brookei. Little Crake Porzanaparva (-/-, 3/16+, 5/5)
2007 (07/08) Dades-Draa, Barrage Mansour
Andalusian Hemipode (Common Buttonquail) Eddahbi, adult male, 20 February (M. Altieri
Turnix sylvaticus RB (-/-, 1/1, 2/2) etal.)
2007 (07/33) Doukkala, near Oualidia, 16 2007 (07/16) Tangier Peninsula, Smir marshes,
&
September, photo (P. Dupuis, J. Franchimont female, 26 March (M. Amezian I. R.
&
B. Maire) Thompson)
2007 (07/45) Doukkala, near Oualidia, dead 2007 (07/18) Souss, Aoulouz, 16 March, photo (D.
(probably a road casualty), late November (D. Watson)
Ledan), photo Franchimont) 2007 (07/63) Souss, Massa estuary, male, 22 March,
(J.
That on 16 September was very tame and was photo (T. A. Olsen etal.)
discovered in a fallow field, 1 km from the ocean. 2009 (09/16) Dades-Draa, Barrage Mansour
Eddahbi, singing male, 31 March (A. B. van
den Berg etal.)
2007 was a very good year for this rare spring
migrant. In addition to the records listed in
Thevenot et al. (2003) and the three already ana-
lysed by the MRBC, we are aware of only a few
other sightings since 2000: Oued Ziz, north of
Erfoud: female on 12 April 2000 Fonderflick)
(J.
and another on 12 February 2003 (H. Dufourny);
Aoulouz: female on 14 March 2005 (A. Binns),
two females on 15 March 2007 (A. Wilson)
and one on 12 April 2007 (A. Impey); Barrage
Mansour Eddahbi: one (perhaps two) on 18
March 2007 (S. Bird et al.)\ and at Massa: one on
Figure 3. Andalusian Hemipode / Turnix d’Andalousie 14 April 2007 (A. Impey et al.). Breeding of this
Turnixsylvaticus, near Oualidia, Doukkala, 16 September secretive species has been reported in Algeria in
&
2007 (B. Maire) the 19th century (cf. Isenmann Moali 2000),
but has never been proved in Morocco, although
OW
Spotted Crake Porzanaporzana PM, (-/-, occasional instances seem likely at suitable sites (cf.
8/16+, 5/8) singing male at Barrage Mansour Eddahbi).
2007 (07/56) Rharb, Sidi Bou-Rhaba, singing male,
OW
13 March (T. A. Olsen etal.) Baillon’s Crake Porzanapusilla PM, BM,
2007 (07/59) Rharb, Lower Loukkos marshes, two (-/-, 1/1, 1/1)
on 14 March, three on 15 March (T. A. Olsen 2008 (08/59) Rharb, Larache, adult, 30 March,
et al.) photo (C. Zumalacarregui et al.)
48-BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergieretal.
The bird was mist-netted (Ramirez 2009). It is records were all inland in south-eastern pre-desert
only the second record analysed by the MRBC. regions (Dades-Draa and Tafilalt).
Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni AV (5/5, 0/0, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii AV
(0/0, 0/0, 1/1)
2008 (08/57) Plains of Eastern Morocco, Melilla, 2006 (06/52) Tafilalt, Merzouga, 13 March, video
juvenile, 21 November, photo (D. Jerez Abad (P. van Rooij etal.)
etal.)
First Moroccan record of this eastern species,
All five previous records were from the Atlantic which breeds from Turkey to western China.
coast between Merja Zerga in the north and Massa Another sighting (Middle Atlas, 28 April 1979) is
in the south, all in December-January except one unconfirmed (Thevenot etal. 2003).
in April (Thevenot et al. 2003). This is the first
analysed by the MRBC. Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima AV (8/12,
The bird hit a window in Melilla. It was very 3/4, 2/2)
emaciated and dehydrated, with some feathers 2008 (08/23) Chiadma, Essaouira, 2 March, photo
in good condition and others moulting; it was (H. van Diek)
taken to the rehabilitation center ‘Centro de 2009 (09/22) Tangier Peninsula, Asilah, 24 April,
Recuperacion de Fauna El Quinto’ where it died photo (J. Elorriaga & C. Feijt)
six days later. Twelfth and 13th records of this accidental win-
WV ter visitor: 24 April is the latest known date for
Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax RB, (-/-, 0/0, Morocco.
1/1)
2008 (08/24) Zaer, Sidi Bettache, adult female, 13
&
April (S. Nawfel I. Cherkaoui)
Stangely, this is the first record analysed by the
MRBC. The bird was in a clearing within cork-
oak forest; I. Cherkaoui had previously seen
three in another cork-oak forest (Mamora, 16
November 2005).
Houbara Bustard Cblamydotis undulata RB (-/-,
0/0, 2/2)
2009 (09/17) Tafilalt, Merzouga, male, 30 March,
photo (A. B. van den Berg etal.)
2009 (09/18) Tafilalt, Merzouga, male, 10 April,
photo (A. B. van den Berg etal.)
Figure 4. Purple Sandpiper / Becasseau violet Calidris
Breeding in captivity has now been mastered, maritima, Essaouira, Chiadma, 2 March 2008 (FI. van
especially at the Emirates Centre for Wildlife Diek)
Propagation at Missour. Many are released each
year in eastern Morocco and Tafilalt, and in
consequence Houbara should be observed more
frequently in these areas.
AV
Kittlitz’s Plover Charadriuspecuarius (2/5,
1/1, 1/1)
2008 (08/37) Souss, Souss estuary, 18 April, photo
(D. Young)
Fourth Moroccan record ofthis species from sub- -d </ # ^
Saharan Africa. This is the latest in spring and Number ofrecords ofPurple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
the first on the Atlantic coast. The three previous in Morocco per month («=13)
Rare birds in Morocco, 2007-09: Bergier etal. BullABC Vol 18 No 1 (2011) - 49
