Background:
I led 7 people on a relaxing, easy going birding trip to the Agadir area of Morocco. I booked a 7 night package holiday with a high street travel agent staying in the coastal resort of Agadir, Southwest Morocco. We stayed in the hotel Caribbean Beach Agador on a fully inclusive basis. This was my third trip to Morocco but the first for the others.
Agadir is a booming tourist resort which is expanding southwards fast with many new hotels and apartments under construction. The north end of the town is the older part and has the docks and a new marina. From the marina an extensive sandy beach runs south towards the Royal Palace and the Oued Souss. A very nice promenade which is almost finished appears to run the whole length of the town, although we didn’t explore all the way down the southern end.
Flights:
We departed London Gatwick at 09:35 Wednesday 21st and arrived in Agadir around 13:00. We departed Agadir at 14:15 on Wednesday 28th and arrived at Gatwick around 17:45.
Car Hire:
Due to the lack of people carrier type vehicles available in Agadir we had to hire two cars, which I did at the time of booking the holiday. We hired the cars from the 22nd – 27th. I drove one car and one of the participants had volunteered to drive the other.
Weather: The early mornings and evenings were chilly necessitating a jacket or fleece but during the day it did warm up and was more often than not sunny. It was a bit colder than normal for the time of year. It started getting light just after 07:00 and was getting dark just after 18:00.
The main bird sites we visited:
The Oued Souss
The Oued Massa
The bridge over the Oued Massa
The road to Tamri
The road to Imouzzer-des-Ida-Outanane through Paradise Valley
I used the following books for site/species information:
A Birdwatchers’ Guide to Morocco by Patrick and Fedora Bergier (Birdwatchers’ Guides).
Finding birds in Southern Morocco by Dave Gosney (A Gostours Guide)
The Birds
We came across what was expected in this area of Morocco at this time of year. We connected with the target birds we were after – Bald Ibis, Barbary Partridge, Plain Martin, Moussier’s Redstart and House Bunting. We also found some nice to see species like Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls, Common Crane, Black-shouldered Kite, Bonelli’s Eagle and Black Wheatear. We didn’t find any Marbled Teal and didn’t see or hear Black-crowned Bush Shrike. But nevertheless overall we saw some good birds and had an enjoyable trip.
Itinerary
Wednesday 21st A late afternoon walk around Agadir
After doing some unpacking and following a quick snack we went for a walk firstly north along the promenade and then into the town. We found some shelter from the strong wind in ‘Bird Valley’ a small zoo, which was free to enter and consequently full of people, apparently it isn’t normally free. Despite the number of people we found Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Common Bulbuls, Blackcaps and a Sardinian Warbler. Walking back to the hotel a Kestrel was seen and dozens of White Wagtails in small groups were flying to roost. Yellow-legged Gulls were of course very common along the coast. We got back to our hotel about 18:00.
Thursday 22nd Sea front walk south of hotel in the morning, Oued Souss in afternoon.
A good start to the day was the Osprey I saw flying north over the sea from my room balcony before breakfast. After breakfast we had a walk south of the hotel along the seafront where the same or another Osprey flew by. Along with the ever present Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls an immature Gannet and a few Sandwich Terns were seen. A Black Redstart was found on a building site near our hotel. A quick look around some scrub adjacent to a dry river produced a couple of Laughing Doves, Spotless Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Serin and Magpies of the North African race with their bright blue patch of skin behind the eye. A pair of stonechats completed the species list for the morning. We then headed back to the hotel for an early lunch and to collect the hire cars.
We headed off at 16:00 for the Oued Souss. We only had time to do a small part of the estuary but nevertheless found some good birds. We were greeted there almost immediately by a pair of Barbary Partridge which after their initial fright flight showed well sitting in a low tree allowing us excellent scope views. In the shallow water of the estuary there was a flock of around 70 Greater Flamingo and someway off 9 white blobs, viewed through the scope, proved to be sleeping Spoonbills. Grey Herons and Little Egrets were the only other members of the heron family seen. There was good numbers of familiar waders – Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Curlew five Little Stint and a single Knot. Amongst the Black-headed Gulls was 4 first winter Mediterranean Gulls. But time was getting on and dusk was falling so we made our way back to the cars noting a pair of Stonechats and a few Serin before we departed.
Friday 23rd Oued Massa most of day
We arrived around 09:00 after a steady 1hour drive south from Agadir, en route Spotless Starlings, Crested Larks and a few Southern Grey Shrikes were seen from the car. At the first proper Oued Massa National Park sign we were hailed to a stop by a young man wearing a baseball hat and jacket adorned with bird society badges of the type that you sow on, very much looking the part of a warden – in a do it yourself sort of way. Informing us he was the official park bird guide and that we had to use him he then tried to extract a guiding fee from us of 50 Dirham (just under £4) an hour per person. I told him we didn’t need a bird guide but he insisted that a guide was necessary in the national park, but I stood my ground and told him this wasn’t the case. After further discussion he began to realise that he wasn’t going to win so he changed tact and insisted that there was an entry fee to the park. Again I told him that that wasn’t true. After a bit more debate he finally gave up and went off – no doubt to wait for another car to try his luck on. It has to be said although persistent he was not in any way aggressive.
Our first stop was further along the road overlooking the Oued Massa. A dozen Pallid Swifts circled around with a few Barn Swallows and we got a brief view of a Plain Martin. Cetti’s Warblers sang briefly and intermittently and we notched up our first Little Grebe, Coot and Moorhen. On the scrub covered hillside adjacent to the road a fine male Moussier’s Redstart performed well and was soon joined by the somewhat duller female. The hillside also held Sardinian Warblers and Stonechats. We moved on through the final park gate and into the car parking area by the warden’s hut. From here we walked the track which follows the line of the Oued Massa down to the sea.
Shortly after parking the cars a flock of 20 Common Cranes flew along the Oued, calling as they went, before alighting on the grass and scrub covered sand dunes on the far bank. In the water below us were 9 Spoonbill and 2 Greater Flamingo. A small group of duck consisted mainly of Pochard with a few Mallard and an immature drake Ferruginous Duck showed briefly before becoming obscured behind vegetation. What was unexpected was a party of 14 Lapwing which settled on the waters edge, I didn’t think that normally they winter this far south so was the presence of these birds a sign of bad weather in Europe? On the opposite bank three Wild Boar showed for a few minutes and a little later two Boar were seen briefly on the same bank as we were standing on. As we walked on a flock of 21 Common Cranes flew in, circled around a couple of times, and then joined the first group of Cranes on the opposite bank. As we completed the 3km round trip to the sea we saw many more Pochard, lots of Little Grebes a female Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel, a single fly by Glossy Ibis, lots of Cormorant, Linnet, Goldfinch, Serin, Spanish Sparrows and the following waders – Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper and Sanderling.
As a matter of interest we ran into the head warden who was friendly and more than happy to tell us what birds were about – flamingo, spoonbill and cranes were mentioned. We also met the ‘bird guide’ from earlier who was also happy to mention flamingo, spoonbill and cranes and of course more than willing to show us, for a price, Bald Ibis. The Ibis inhabit an area south of the Oued Massa where they breed on the cliffs.
As we were leaving the car park a White Stork flew directly over us chased by a Peregrine. Nearby a Black Redstart was seen disappearing over some farm walls and a scan across the Oued a bit further down the road produced a second Glossy Ibis. Unfortunately the position of the sun didn’t help viewing so we moved further on. Two Little Owls were found sitting on the top of a wall on the outskirts of the village of Arhbalou giving everyone very good views. A Little Owl had been seen briefly from the car to the east of Massa village as we were arriving earlier in the day. We then drove the length of Massa village and out the other side in the hope of seeing a House Bunting – which we didn’t unfortunately. However, we found ourselves in an agriculture area and with impeccable timing a Black-shouldered Kite flew across the road in front of the car and obligingly hunted the nearby field giving everyone a decent view of this super little raptor. A couple of Cattle Egrets feeding in the field adjacent to the road completed the picture.
As it was then about 14:30 it was decided to make our way back to Agadir. Back at the hotel the group relaxed for what remained of the afternoon.
Saturday 24th North of Agadir and the road to Imouzza in the morning. Dry river south of hotel in afternoon.
A good sighting this morning was of a House Bunting sitting on a light within our hotel apartment block. It hadn’t roosted there all night but appeared just as it was getting light.
We set off around 07:45 heading for the Tamri area north of Agadir in search of one of our target species – the Bald Ibis. Amazingly we hadn’t travelled very far north when I spotted some large black birds on open ground on the seaward side of the road. I didn’t get a good view but was sure they were the Ibis. Not being able to stop immediately because of road works, the single carriageway road was being made into a dual carriageway, we continued a little further along the road before managing to turn back. Fortunately the black birds in the field were still present and as assumed turned out to be Bald Ibis – 31 of them in fact feeding in an area that was taking on the appearance of a small rubbish tip with plastic bags and other rubbish. We crossed the road and set up scopes to get an eyeful of this endangered species. Although they can hardly be described as beautiful looking birds they looked pretty good with the sun shining on the metallic purple and green sheen of their feathers. Various locals and stray dogs wandered past which didn‘t cause them undue concern but eventually the Ibis flew a short distance to another area nearer the sea. Having watched the Ibis for long enough we had a brief look around the area, which produced very little apart from small numbers of Linnets and a Southern Grey Shrike. We then decided to carry on north to look for Audouin’s Gulls on the beaches.
As we drove north the work to dual the road continued and not far from where we had seen the Ibis the habitat on both sides of the road had been trashed, huge signs had been erected declaring the development of a golf course and hotel complex. How much Ibis habitat will remain in coming years is anyone’s guess.
A few miles further along where the road ran close to the sea two large flocks of gulls could be seen roosting on the beach so we pulled in. One group contained the usual Yellow legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls but the nearest group to us and consequently giving exceptional views contained about 100, mainly adult, Audouin’s Gulls.
Having got both species so quickly there was no point in going on to Tamri. I had expected to be birding the area all morning in search of the Ibis. I decided it was a good opportunity to take the road to Imouzzer which meant heading back south a few miles and then doing a left turn in Tamrhakh and heading inland along Paradise Valley.
As we drove through Tamrhakh we stopped for a few minutes to watch a couple of House Buntings on the roof of a block of shops. We carried on for a few miles before pulling in by a shack selling fossils. A number of the shacks selling fossils (some fake) and pottery were located at various pull-ins along the length of the road. At first the rocky and scrub covered hillsides seemed deadly quiet, apart from the ever present Serins and Chiffchaffs, but slowly we picked up other species. First up was a pair of Black Wheatears which caused a flurry of excitement and although elusive initially were eventually pinned down. Then three raptors up very high soared away behind a distant hill. The all too brief and distant view meant a positive id was impossible but looked like Short-toed Eagles. We then found Great Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Sardinian Warblers a pair of Moussier’s Redstarts, a pair of Thekla Larks and a very confiding pair of House Buntings. Some of the Chaffinch seen were males with their pale pink underparts, pale blue head and face, deep olive green mantle, back and rump which distinguish them from the more familiar British race. Then more excitement as a pair of Bonelli’s Eagles suddenly appeared and tumbled together at eye level over a small side valley. Unfortunately they didn’t hang around, one bird disappeared from view and the other flew back the way it had come along the valley. Time was getting on so it was decided to depart for our hotel. Just as we were about to leave the pair of Thekla Larks and House Buntings flew in and fed around our feet and a dung beetle did what dung beetles do with dung! As we got back on the road a Barbary Squirrel was seen sitting on a rock. The journey back through the valley and hills was inspiring but uneventful.
Back in Agadir in the late afternoon some of us walked the short distance along the new promenade to the dry river south of the hotel. En route the Black Redstart was still hanging around the ever changing building site near the hotel and offshore an adult Gannet was plunge diving for fish. The dry river produced much the same as before plus a pair of Black Redstarts and a fly over Grey Wagtail.
Sunday 25th Oued Souss in the morning. Hotel area and sea front walk in the afternoon.
Before it was fully light the House Bunting was again sitting on the light in our apartment block and once again soon departed. We arrived at the Oued Souss at 07:50 being only a 15 minute drive from our hotel. We were met with a blanket of mist over the estuary so decided a walk along the track parallel with the King’s Palace perimeter fence was the best bet until the mist cleared. We found Wood Pigeon, Spotless Starling a fly over Grey Wagtail, a pair of Moussier’s Redstarts and numerous Sardinian Warblers and Chiffchaffs. We also saw two North African race Blue Tits with their dark blue/black caps rather than the light blue of the British race.
Fortunately by the time we got to the beach where the Oued Souss met the sea the mist was clearing. Scoping along the seafront brought a palace guard out to ensure we didn’t take any photos or point our scopes in the direction of the palace walls – not that we wanted to anyway. On the beach were a couple of Kentish Plover, Ringed Plover and Sanderling and along with the usual Yellow legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were 4 Slender-billed Gulls. Scanning the estuary we could see more Kentish Plovers along with the usual Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Turnstone, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Greater Flamingo. An Osprey flew in and settled on a lump of drift wood affording all great views. We found two Green Sandpipers in a pool in the salt marsh and a few minutes later as we walked across the last stretch of sand we disturbed four Stone Curlews, two of the birds didn’t appear to be in any hurry to disappear and consequently showed really well.
Having made a detour around an area of wet and muddy salt marsh we arrived back on the main track adjacent to the Royal Palace perimeter wall where a few Barn Swallows were joined by 5 Plain Martins. Making our way back through the bushes to the estuary edge we came across another pair of Moussier’s Redstarts as well as Stonechats and Fan-tailed Warblers and along the waters edge Grey Plover, Knot and amongst the Black-headed Gulls, 3 first winter Mediterranean Gulls. We then got back to the cars and on the drive out we had a brief look from the second viewing platform where 9 Spoonbills were only a little more active than the last time we saw them. We then headed back for lunch and as we reached the main road a light spattering of rain began to fall but it didn’t last long.
The afternoon was mainly spent relaxing around the hotel. However, three of us walked to the marina where along with 15 Grey Herons there were two Audouin’s Gulls.
Monday 26th Oued Massa all day.
We arrived at the Oued Massa at 08:45 and after a couple of brief stops we had only seen a House Martin and a few Barn Swallows. We parked in the car park by the warden’s hut again and walked the track to the sea against a strong westerly wind. Much the same on the wader front as before with Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Sanderling and the Lapwings were still present. The Common Cranes were still around with 21 showing well, also Grey Herons, Little Egrets, 18 Spoonbills and 3 Flamingo – an adult with 2 immature. A Glossy Ibis showed briefly as it pitched down to shelter from the wind. A female Marsh Harrier patrolled the reedy edges and I got a very brief view of a falcon which could have been a Barbary or Peregrine. There were a few Mallard but Pochard was the commonest duck. Little Grebe were numerous and a single Black-necked Grebe was a bonus. It was asleep at first on the far side, but then was soon awake and diving frequently in the middle of the water giving us all cracking views. At the seaward end of the Massa amongst the usual gulls up to six Audouin’s Gulls were present and off shore a few Gannets could be seen over a rough sea. The bushes produced Serin, Sardinain Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spanish Sparrow, Crested Lark, Spotless starling, Stonechat and super views of a Barbary Partridge.
About 13:00 we drove out of the car park and stopped for lunch in an area sheltered from the wind but still overlooking the water. A kestrel had a brief tussle with another raptor which turned out to be a Sparrowhawk. At the very moment that both birds disappeared over a hill a Great Spotted Cuckoo gave an all too brief view as it zipped by before disappearing behind tall tamarisk trees. As we scanned the water from the edge of the road a Common Snipe flew past and three Squacco Herons obligingly flew out of the reeds and alighted in some trees on the far bank. Loosely associating with two drakes and one female Tufted Duck were two drake Ferruginous Ducks, their rich mahogany colour shining in the sun.
There was also an unfortunate and doomed Audouin’s Gull that had swallowed a fish hook and which had a length of fishing line trailing from its beak. We drove on a little way before turning left onto a track into a stony desert area and although an interesting habitat it was too windy to search it properly but we did find a Northern Wheatear, a pair of Crested Larks and a Southern Grey Shrike.
Turning right in Massa Village, where a House Bunting was seen as we drove through, we stopped at a bridge that crossed the Oued Massa. A Squacco Heron gave close views along with a female Tufted Duck a few Little Grebes and a couple of Laughing Doves flew by. There was also Spanish Terrapins sunbathing.
We then drove back to the main road and continued south to another bridge over the Oued Massa, 25K north of the town of Tiznit. We walked a short distance up river to a small dam but it was pretty quiet we only saw a Green Sandpiper a few Pallid Swifts and some Spanish Terrapins. We decided to call it a day and left for Agadir, arriving back at our hotel at around 17:00. Whilst having a cool beer in the hotel garden area we watched a House Bunting singing from a roof top.
Tuesday 27th Oued Souss in the morning. Agadir dry river in the afternoon.
We arrived at the Oued Souss at 08:00 for a final look around before the cars were collected at 11:45. Parking near the main gate we did a circuit by walking along the track adjacent to the King’s Palace, cutting through the bushes at the road block and walking back along the estuary edge. The bushes and nearby trees held Wood Pigeon, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Fan-tailed Warbler, Crested Lark, Bulbuls, Spotless Starling, Robins, a pair of Moussier’s Redstarts and a few Stonechats. In a wet ditch a Kingfisher sat briefly on a reed stem but unfortunately flew off before everyone got on it. On the estuary were Flamingo, Spoonbill, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Kentish Plover, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Little Stint, Turnstone, Dunlin, Greenshank, Redshank, Grey Plover and Knot. Along with the Yellow-legged, Lesser Black-backed and Black headed Gulls there were 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Slender-billed Gulls and a few Sandwich Terns.
We then had a quick look around an area of Eucalyptus trees near where we parked the cars and found a Barbary Partridge and a few Chaffinch. Coming from the trees inside the King’s Palace a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard to call once and drum on 3 occasions, unfortunately it wasn’t seen.
The cars were duly collected at 11:45. At least 3 House Buntings were seen around the hotel. In the late afternoon we had a final walk from the hotel to the dry river which was rather quiet. However, we did manage Laughing Dove, Spotless Starling, Serin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff a single Black Redstart and Grey Wagtail. We got back to the hotel about 17:30.
Wednesday 28th Hotel area and then departed for the airport.
We only had a couple of hours after breakfast to have a look around before the coach to the airport picked us up at 11:00. A brief look from the beach produced a Little Egret out on a breakwater but nothing else. The best around the hotel was a House Bunting and two Pallid Swifts along with the usual Common Bulbuls, Sardinian Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.
We flew out at 14:15 and arrived at Gatwick 17:45.
Little Grebe
Common at the Oued Massa.
Black-necked Grebe
1 at the Oued Massa.
Gannet
Small numbers seen offshore.
Cormorant
Common at the Oued Massa and Oued Souss with a few seen offshore elsewhere.
Grey Heron
Common, seem at the Oued Massa, Oued Souss and Agadir marina.
Little Egret
Small numbers at the Oued Massa and Oued Souss, singles seen at Agadir and on the coast from the Tamri road.
Cattle Egret
Up to 4 near the town of Massa and 1 flew over the road just north of Agadir.
Squacco Heron
4 at the Oued Massa.
White Stork
1 flyover at the Oued Massa.
Bald Ibis
North of Agadir, 31 on open ground adjacent to the coast between Tamrhakh and Taghazoute on the Tamri road (N1).
Glossy Ibis
3 seen at the Oued Massa
Spoonbill
A maximum of 18 at the Oued Massa and 9 at the Oued Souss.
Greater Flamingo
3 at the Oued Massa and up to 71 at the Oued Souss.
Mallard
Small numbers at the Oued Massa.
Pochard
Commonest duck at the Oued Massa with around 100 present.
Ferruginous Duck
3 drakes at the Oued Massa.
Tufted Duck
2 drakes and 3 ducks at the Oued Massa.
Osprey
1 or 2 offshore at Agadir and 1 at the Oued Souss.
Black-shouldered Kite
1 over agricultural fields south of Massa town.
Marsh Harrier
A female at the Oued Massa seen on both visits.
Sparrowhawk
1 at the Oued Massa.
Bonelli’s Eagle
2 in Paradise Valley, the road to Imouzza fossil shack stop.
Kestrel
Singles at Agadir, Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Peregrine Falcon
1 at the Oued Massa.
Common Crane
Up to 42 at the Oued Massa.
Moorhen
Seen at the Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Coot
Common at the Oued Massa.
Oystercatcher
Seen at the Oued Souss only.
Black-winged Stilt
Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Stone Curlew
4 on the beach at the Oued Souss.
Grey Plover
Seen at the Oued Souss only.
Ringed Plover
Seen at the Oued Souss only.
Kentish Plover
About 15 seen at the Oued Souss.
Black-tailed Godwit
Oued Massa mainly with a few noted at the Oued Souss.
Bar-tailed Godwit
Seen at the Oued Souss only.
Curlew
Small numbers at the Oued Souss.
Spotted Redshank
4 or 5 at the Oued Massa.
Redshank
Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Greenshank
Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Green Sandpiper
2 at the Oued Souss and 1 at the Oued Massa dam site.
Common Sandpiper
Small numbers at the Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Turnstone
A few at the Oued Souss.
Knot
Small numbers at the Oued Souss.
Sanderling
Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Little stint
Up to 5 at the Oued Souss.
Dunlin
Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Audouin’s Gull
5 at the Oued Massa, 2 at the Agadir marina and about 100 on a beach off the Tamri road (N1).
Yellow-legged Gull
Very common.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Common around the coast.
Black-headed Gull
Common at the Oued Souss.
Slender-billed Gull
Up to 6 at the Oued Souss.
Mediterranean Gull
An adult and up to 4 1st winters seen at the Oued Souss.
Sandwich Tern
A few at the Oued Souss and offshore at Agadir.
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Feral birds common in towns.
Wood Pigeon
Oued Souss, in the trees of the Royal Palace.
Collared Dove
Common in Agadir and a few seen elsewhere.
Laughing Dove (Palm Dove)
1 or 2 pairs in the dry river near our hotel in Agadir and 3 seen at the Oued Massa.
Great Spotted Cuckoo
A single at the Oued Massa.
Little Owl
A single along the eastern approach road to Massa town and a pair at Arhbalou just north of Massa town.
Pallid Swift
Small numbers at Oued Massa and Agadir.
Kingfisher
A single at the Oued Souss.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Heard to call once and drum three times from the grounds of the Royal Palace, Oued Sous.
Crested Lark
Widespread in small numbers.
Thekla Lark
Road to Imouzza - a pair at the fossil shack stop.
Plain Martin (Brown-throated Sand Martin)
1 at the Oued Massa and 5 at the Oued Souss.
Barn Swallow
Fairly common seen most days.
House Martin
1 at the Oued Massa.
White Wagtail
Common.
Grey Wagtail
Singles at Oued Souss and the Agadir dry river near our hotel.
Common Bulbul
Common and widespread.
Blackbird
Good numbers around the hotel, seen in small numbers elsewhere.
Robin
Seen in Agadir, the Oued Souss and the road to Imouzza stop.
Black Redstart
Singles at Oued Massa and near our hotel and a pair in the dry river, Agadir.
Moussier’s Redstart
Singles and pairs seen at the Oued Massa and Oued Souss and en route to, and at, the Imouzza road fossil shack stop.
Stonechat
Seen at all the sites visited.
Northern Wheatear
A male at the Oued Massa (not the North African Seebohm’s race).
Black Wheatear
A pair at the fossil shack, the road to Imouzza stop.
Fan-tailed Warbler (Zitting Cisticola)
Oued Massa and Oued Souss.
Cetti’s Warbler
Heard at the Oued Massa.
Chiffchaff
Very common.
Blackcap
Common
Sardinian Warbler
Common and widespread.
Great Tit
Only seen at the road to Imouzza fossil shack stop.
Blue Tit
Only seen at the Oued Souss.
Southern Grey Shrike
Singles at the Oued Massa and along the Tamri road, 3 or 4 seen on wires en route to the Oued Massa.
Magpie
Common
Spotless Starling
Common
House Sparrow
Common in towns.
Spanish Sparrow
Small noisy parties at the Oued Massa.
Chaffinch
Widespread in small numbers.
Greenfinch
Widespread in small numbers.
Goldfinch
Widespread in small numbers.
Linnet
Widespread in small numbers.
Serin
Very common.
House Bunting
Seen in the towns of Massa and Tamrhakh, the road to Imouzza fossil shack stop and 1 or 2 pairs frequented our hotel grounds, Agadir.
Total 93 species seen and 2 heard.
Other wildlife
Barbary Squirrel
Wild Boar
Spanish Terrapin
Mauritanian Toad
Clouded Yellow
Wall Brown
Painted lady
Greenish Black-tip
Whites sp.
Blues sp.
Dung beetle
Various Grasshoppers & Crickets
John Wright
Email: johnpw2@tiscali.co.uk