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Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus

Near Ouarzazate, Morocco

A summer migrant from late March

Photo: John Caddick

The African Bird Club bulletin includes the following largely unconfirmed records some of which were first published in Birding World and Dutch Birding.

Records from November 2009–May 2010 are as follows. At Tetouan, the first Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa for the country's Mediterranean coast was found exhausted on 9 January. A male Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis was discovered at Oued Massa on 11 February. At least one White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala remained at Sidi Bou Rhaba, Kénitra, during April. At Merzouga, Tafilalt, 1–2 Eurasian Bitterns Botaurus stellaris were singing at Dayet Srij on 9 April; this is the south-easternmost record for Morocco, where the species is less than annual in coastal marshes in the north. The long-staying Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis at Essaouira, first found on 19 April 2009, was still present on 27 February. An adult Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor was foraging among a flock of c.100 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus (ruber) roseus north of Oualidia, 68 km south of El Jadida, on 1–5 May. A Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax was seen at Merzouga on 6 February.

Several Baillon's Crakes Porzana pusilla were found in flooded fields at Oued Massa in the second week of April; there are only two previous records for Morocco in the past 15 years. At Khnifiss lagoon, Tarfaya, in the south-west, up to nine Cape Gulls Larus dominicanus vetula stayed from 18 November to at least April; at least eight with one active nest were counted on 14–29 April. At Oued Souss, Agadir, c.450 km further north, an adult was photographed on 12 April and two Laughing Gulls L. atricilla were there on 19 April. A Grey-hooded Gull Larus cirrocephalus was noted at Dakhla, Western Sahara, on a few dates between January and April.

In the south-east, the first Dunn's Larks Eremalauda dunni for the Tafilalt were observed from 11 April near Merzouga; on 3 May, eight birds and a nest were found at three sites (the first records for the country were from Oued Ad-Deheb, Western Sahara, in 2006). A Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti was singing at Tizi-n-Taghatine, west of Tazenakht, on 7 and 11 April. Eastern Olivaceous WarblersHippolais pallida of the North African race reiseri were found again in increasing numbers in suitable habitat in the south. A total of 25 Cricket Warblers Spiloptila clamans was counted west of Aousserd, Western Sahara, on 12 December; 55 were found on 24 January, and a male was seen feeding nestlings on 13 February. A Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator of the race badius, the fourth for Morocco, was photographed 41 km west of El Kelaa on 27 March. Three Pied Crows Corvus albus c.160 km north-east of Dakhla, first seen on 13 December, were breeding on a pylon on 25 April; these constitute the first for Morocco. It appears that 2–3 birds have been present here for three years, but there are no previous proven breeding records.

Records from the period April–November 2009 are as follows. A Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis found at Essaouira on 18 April was still present on 13 November. In 2009, White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala succesfully raised young at Sidi Bou-Rhaba, Kénitra, where at least seven were counted on 4 October; this accidental visitor was a resident until at least the early part of the 20th century, but occasional breeding was considered likely following the recent increase in numbers in Spain. A satellite-tracked Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, a juvenile from Hungary, flew via Spain and Portugal to Morocco; Thévenot et al. (2003. The Birds of Morocco) mention just two certain previous records, one collected in the late 19th century and another captured in May 1963. Two adult Grey-hooded Gulls Larus cirrocephalus were photographed at Oued Souss, Agadir, on 19–21 May. In July,Cricket Warblers Spiloptila clamans continued to be seen between Dakhla and Awserd. A Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva was reported from Goulimime on 11 November.

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Records from February - May 2009 (with one from November 2008) include the following. A Great Northern Diver Gavia immer was at Khnifiss, Tarfaya, on 8 March. A flock of 42 Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis flew north over the desert east of Boumalne Dadès on 29 March. A Grey Heron Ardea cinerea of the pale Mauritanian race monicae was photographed at Hoja Llamera, Dhakla Bay, on 22 April and another at Khnifiss lagoon, Tarfaya, on 23 April; these are the first for Morocco.

In April - May, up to two adult Bearded Vultures Gypaetus barbatus were frequently observed at Oukaimeden, High Atlas, where the species is considered close to extinction. A second-year Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti stayed at the Tagdilt track, near Boumalne Dadès, in late March. A juvenile Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni was captured and taken into care at Melilla, the Spanish enclave in northern Morocco, on 21 November 2008; it died six days later. Between 30 March and 10 April, two male Houbara Bustards Chlamydotis undulata were seen south of Erfoud; this Vulnerable species has been reported slightly more frequently in recent years.

In the south-west, at least ten adult Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus stayed at Khnifiss lagoon from at least early March until early May. On 10 April, one was exchanging positions on a nest with a Yellow-legged Gull L. cachinnans michahellis, and a pair was seen distantly on a nest. In West Saharan Morocco, a few Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus were recorded, e.g. at Dakhla on 20 April. A Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla was reported from the desert at Agdz, Dadès-Draa, on 17 February. At least 1,000 Gull-billed Terns Sterna nilotica were roosting at Oued Souss on 14 April; this is an exceptionally large number.

In early April, Tawny Owls Strix aluco were found nesting in the town centres of Marrakech and Taroudannt. Probably hundreds of Dunn’s Larks Eremalauda dunni and even larger numbers of Black-crowned Sparrow Larks Eremopterix nigriceps were present along the Dakhla - Aousserd road, in West Saharan Morocco, in late April - early May. An Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina was observed at Tafraoute, Western Anti-Atlas, on 15 or 16 February. Since spring 2006, Eastern Olivaceous Warblers Hippolais pallida of the pale, North African race reiseri have been found frequently in the south-east; until recently, its occurrence in Morocco was poorly documented and required confirmation. In March - April, the taxon was found again at various places in Morocco, with birds singing at Aoufouss (two), Merzouga, Ouarzazate (two) and Touroug (four); it has presumably been overlooked in the past. In West Saharan Morocco, four Cricket Warblers Spiloptila clamans were seen along the Dakhla - Aousserd road on 22 March and in late April; on 8 May, up to nine were found. Also there, two male and five female Sudan Golden Sparrows Passer luteus were observed (and photographed) on 21 April, along with several tens of Desert Sparrows P. simplex. The latter species has become rare in the south-east in recent years, being replaced by House Sparrows P. domesticus at former strongholds like Café Yasmina near Merzouga; on 30 March three fledglings were being fed by a male while the female was sitting on the only nest known in this area this spring.

In October 2008, 13 Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were observed at Oued Massa on 31st and 2,340 Audouin’s Gulls Larus audounii on the beaches between Agadir and Tamri on 30th. In the south-west, nine Richard’s Pipits Anthus richardi were seen at Sidi Wassai, Oued Massa, on 31st. A male hybrid Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus × Common Redstart P. phoenicurus was
photographed at Aguelmouss, near Tizi-n-Tichka in the High Atlas, on 27th. At the Tagdilt Track c.50 Trumpeter Finches Bucanetes githagineus were present on 28th.

In January 2009, a Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus was found at Oued Souss on 12 January 2009 and a Plain Swift Apus unicolor at Oued Massa the next day.

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Records from November 2007 - April 2008 include the following. A Black Kite Milvus migrans with a yellow bill was photographed at Tizi-n-Tichka in the High Atlas on 8 April; there is one only previous claim of a ‘bird with a yellow bill’, near Tinerhir on 5 April 1978. Possibly the southernmost Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima in the country was photographed near Essaouira on 2 March; there is at least one previous record of two individuals wintering at this site in 1999. The fourth Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides for Morocco was photographed at Essaouira on 2 March. Four adult Kelp Gulls L. dominicanus vetula were reported from Khnifiss lagoon, south-western Morocco, on 19 February, with one still there on 24th. A Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla singing near Ifrane on 16 May was a late date.

Two Pale Crag (Rock) Martins Ptyonoprogne fuligula obsoleta were seen at El Argoub, Western Sahara, on 27 February. On 8 - 9 November, an Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodsoni was photographed at Agadir. A pair of Cricket Warblers Spiloptila clamans was collecting nesting material west of Awserd, Western Sahara, on 17 - 18 February. A Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix was observed at Ifrane on the late date of 19 May. In south-eastern Morocco, several singing Western Olivaceous Warblers Hippolais pallida reiseri were found near Rissani and Merzouga, Tafilalt, on 27 March and 12 April. A calling second- year male Moltoni’s Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans moltonii photographed in a wadi near Taouz, Tafilalt, is probably the first to be documented for Morocco. Along 10 km of the Tizguite Valley, Ifrane, c.50–60 pairs of Atlas Flycatchers Ficedula (hypoleuca) speculigera were counted. An adult male Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio was in the Ourika Valley, Marrakech, on 31 December. The numbers of Desert Sparrows Passer simplex in Tafilalt, south-eastern Morocco, appear to be decreasing with only two pairs found east of Merzouga in March - April; however, the species was still numerous along the Aoussert road in Western Sahara in February. A Little (Kurrichane) Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus was photographed at Oualidia on 16 September 2007.

Records from October 2006 - April 2007 include the following. A Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator, a rare winter visitor, was at Oued Souss on 16 January. A Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris was found in the Lower Loukkos marshes, Rharb, on 20 March; the species is a former breeder (at this site), but is now a scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor. The first Green-backed Heron Butorides striata for Morocco was discovered 70 km south of Tazenakht, in the Anti-Atlas, on 18 April. At Merzouga, a dark-morph Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae was observed on 30 March; this is an early date. An Aquila 11 km west of Tantan, Draa, on 16 December may have been a Tawny Eagle A. rapax or, perhaps, a Spanish Imperial Eagle A. adalberti. A juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagle was photographed west of Tan Tan in December and again in February; recent satellite tracking indicate birds disperse as far south as Senegal. On 31 December, an adult Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates was reported at Oulad Teima, where the species has not been seen for many years. In February, Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides were recorded at Agadir (an immature), Tamri (a pair) and near Oukaimeden (a pair).

A Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii video-taped at Dayet Srji, Merzouga, Tafilalt, on 13 March 2006, was recently identified and appears to be the first for Morocco. A Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus was photographed at Oued Souss on 23 March; The Birds of Morocco (Thévenot et al. 2003) mentions 11 previous records for the country, of which six at the Souss estuary. On 24 December, a first-winter Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan was reported from Oued Souss. A first-winter Grey-headed Gull L. cirrocephalus was at Oued Massa on 24 October. Ring-billed Gulls L. delawarensis were identified at Anza (first-winter on 16-21 January) and Oued Chbika (second-winter on 19 January). Two Common Gulls Larus canus were at Oued Souss on 16 January, with one there on 3 April.

Good winter rains resulted in exceptional numbers of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata at Ikniouen Road in late March, with a flock of c.1,000 passing over on 29th; c.200 flew over Merzouga on 24th and 30th. A Marsh Owl Asio capensis was found dead at the mouth of the Moulouya River in the north-east on 11 February. The first Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus for Morocco was a first-winter male at Essaouira on 23 February. Three Brambling Fringilla montifringilla were in the Oukaimeden area on 17 February.

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Records from March-August 2006 include the following. Three Madeiran Storm-petrels Oceanodroma castro were feeding in Dakhla Bay, Western Sahara, on 11 March. A single Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata was seen at the species’ former stronghold at Tagdilt track, Boumalne-Dadès, on 26 March. In Tafifalt, 12 km north-east of Merzouga, a nest was found but all hatchlings were trapped and taken to a Saudi breeding programme in the first days of April. The second Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis for Morocco was photographed at Ouarzazate on 24 April; the first record was in 1996. Another was found with an Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda between Sidi Moussa and Oualidia on 28 September. A second-year Baltic Gull Larus f. fuscus ringed at Pori, Finland, on 28 June 2005, was discovered at Anza, Agadir, on 23 February; this is one of the westernmost ringing recoveries of a gull ringed in Finland for Africa. If accepted, an adult Kelp Gull L. dominicanus vetula on the beach at Agadir on 28 August will be the first for Morocco. An adult Common Gull L. canus was at Merja Zerga on 28 May. At least three Plain Swifts Apus unicolor were identified at Larache on 7 May; this is further north than previous records.

Three Dunn’s Larks Eremalauda dunni were seen between Dakhla and Awserd (Aoussard), Western Sahara, on 12 March; Black-crowned Sparrow Larks Eremopterix nigriceps were found to be common there, with at least 25 individuals counted. On 5 April, a Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti was watched at Tizi-n-Taghatine, a western breeding site which was unknown until recently. The third Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola for Morocco was observed at Oued Massa on 17 April. On 12 October, a first-winter Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus was photographed at Oukaimeden, High Atlas; several other individuals were also present at this ski resort. The westernmost Balearic Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator badius for the country was observed at Aoulouz on 5 April. In Western Sahara, six Desert Sparrows Passer simplex were seen between Dakhla and Awserd, including a pair with young.

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Records from January-March 2006 include the following. Six dark-bellied Brent Geese Branta bernicla were at Knifiss lagoon, in the south, on 10 March. A male American Wigeon Anas americana was reported from Oued Massa, south of Agadir, on 15-26 January, with another at Marrakech on 21 January. A Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata was photographed at Oued Massa, in the south, where it is a rarity. A Laughing Gull Larus atricilla was found at Arghoud, near Agadir, on 1 March. The fourth Franklin's Gull L. pipixcan for Morocco was a first-winter at Oued Souss, Agadir, on 17 February. A first-summer Franklin's Gull was photographed at the same site on 6 April. A second-winter and two third-winter Great Black-backed Gulls L. marinus were found at Knifiss lagoon on 20 January; one was at Cap Juby on 10 March.

A flock of five Pale Crag Martins Hirundo (Ptyonoprogne) obsoleta of the race presaharica was encountered in a deep wadi west of Aouinet Torkoz, between Tata and Tantan, on 10 January; this species is not often reported with certainty in Morocco, because of confusion with Eurasian Crag Martin H. rupestris. The song of (Eastern) Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida of the race reiseri was recorded at Rissani on 4 April; the occurrence of this race in Morocco is poorly documented. A Brambling Fringilla montifringilla was at Dayet Aaoua, Ifrane, on 13 February, and a Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella in the Souss valley near Oulad Berhill on 17 March.

The first Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca for Morocco was at Oued Massa on 16 November. Morocco’s second and third Franklin’s Gulls Larus pipixcan were a first-winter at Oued Massa on 3 November and an adult at Oued Souss, Agadir, on 4 November. The third Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus was observed north-east of Agadir on 5 November.

Records from September 2004–April 2005 include the following. On 26 November, a Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis was seen at Dakhla. A Great White Egret Egretta alba was at Oued Souss, Agadir, on 14 April. At Lake Sidi Bou-Rhaba, a male Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris was found on 4 March. If accepted, an adult Sooty Falcon Falco concolor at Barrage Mohammed V on 19 September will be the first for Morocco. In November, 140 Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus were observed at Itzer on 16th, and a Common Gull Larus canus and two Plain Swifts Apus unicolor at Oued Souss on 9th. Three Spotted Crakes Porzana porzana were foraging underneath Aoulouz bridge on 13 April. A first-summer Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla (flava) feldegg at Derkaoua, Merzouga, on 11-12 April, was about the fifth for the country. What was apparently the first Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus for the country, a first-winter, was also found the same month. At the Oukaimeden ski lift station, 22 Crimson-winged Finches Rhodopechys sanguineus were counted in late March-early April; this is a high number for this uncommon species.

On 16 August 2004, a massive movement of 38,000 Black Kites Milvus migrans took place across the Straits of Gibraltar from Spain to Morocco. A first-winter Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus was reported from Oued Massa on 2 November; this would be the first for Morocco if accepted. A Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix, seen at Oued Smir lagoon just south of Ceuta on the Mediterranean coast on 22 October, may constitute the second for Morocco, following a report pending for 2003.

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The following were recorded in January to April 2004. An immature Great Northern Diver Gavia immer, 2 km south of Cap Rhir on 11 January, was the fourth for Morocco; possibly the same bird was seen off Aghroud, Agadir, on 2 April constituting the first spring record. Two Great White Egrets Egretta alba and a Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (rare in winter) were at Ouarzazate Lake on 6 January. In the colony of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita at Tamri, up to 49 possible nests were counted in March, with a maximum of 197 individuals present in the area. The entire Moroccan population now stands at 368 individuals, all in the Agadir region. At Dayet Merzouga, 190 Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea and 50 Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris were counted on 14 April. A female Cape Shoveler Anas smithii, the second record for Morocco, was at Oued Massa from 25 February until at least 6 March; the previous record was of a pair at Oued Souss on 26 April 1978; pending further evidence these birds are regarded as escapes. An adult female Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis claimed from Lake Afenourir, 30 km from Azrou, Middle Atlas on 6 April  would represent a new species for Morocco if accepted; it was in the company of an adult male Ring-necked Duck A. collaris. In the Anti-Atlas, a Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius was reportedly present at a rainwater pool along Tagdilt track east of Boumalne de Dadès from 25 February until 4 March. At the Oued Massa beach, a Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus was noted in late February. About 500 Audouin's Gulls Larus audouinii were at Aghroud on 2 November and between Taghazoute and Tamri on 11 January. The fifth Iceland Gull L. glaucoides for Morocco was a third-winter at Aghroud on 11 January. At Massa, a European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur and 2­3 Wrynecks Jynx torquilla were seen on 12 January; there are few records of these species in winter. Also there that day was the first Rufous Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes in winter. The number of Desert Sparrows Passer simplex in the Merzouga area, Tafilalt, seems to be decreasing as only four individuals were regularly found in the area around Café Yasmina; in addition, a nesting pair was discovered in an old palm tree close to Merzouga village.

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Records from October to December 2003 include the following. At Dakhla, a dark morph Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis was seen on 7 December. Five Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were at Oued Massa on 10 December. At least four Tawny Eagles Aquila rapax were between Goulimine and Tan Tan on 26 October, with another on 31 October. A Golden Eagle A. chrysaetos was 3 km south of Goulimine on 9 December. Single Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides were observed at Mirleft, Massa, Tata and Lemseied in late October (with another at Tamri on 3 January 2003). A Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus, 30 Royal Terns Sterna maxima and a Little Swift Apus affinis were seen at Dakhla on 7 December. Six Orphean Warblers Sylvia hortensis were at Dawra on 27 October, with a late one at Oued Massa on 10 December.

Records from April 2003 include the following. An Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius was at the Auberge Kasbah Dakaoua between Erfou and Merzouga on the 12th. Single Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina were noted at Skoura on 9th, Jorf on 10th and Merzouga on 12th. Two pairs of Desert Warblers Sylvia nana were found nesting at Dayet Srji , Mergouza on 11th. Twenty Desert Sparrows Passer simplex were seen at the well-known café Yasmina, Mergouza on 11th and 12th. The breeding season of 2003 was quite successful for the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita population at Oued Massa, where some 85 pairs fledged 100 young.

The following were reported in January to April 2003. A Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris was at Oued Massa on 3rd March and 10th April. At Oued Massa, 52 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus were counted on 4th February. A feeding flock of 115 Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita was regularly seen in the Tamri area. Five Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were at Oued Massa on 3rd March with a female Ring-necked Duck A. collaris. Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides were seen at Tazzarine on 5th April and Boumalne on 7th April. A female Little Crake Porzana parva was at Oued Ziz on 12th February. A Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata was at Missour on 12th April. A flock of 10 Great Spotted Cuckoos Clamator glandarius was 51 km. east of Freija in the Souss Valley on 6th February. Four Iberian Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus ibericus were in the Marrakech area on 6th April. 

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Records from the period October to December 2002 include the following. At Layoun, 35 Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea were seen on 23rd October and 100 Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris were at Oued Massa on 7th December. A Red Kite Milvus milvus was observed between Layoun and Boujdour on 28th October. Forty Great Bustards Otis tarda were noted at Asilah on 11th December. At least 2,000 Audouin’s Gulls Larus audouinii were at Dakhla in October and a flock of 250 was on a beach north of Agadir on 10th December. At Merja Zerga, 26 Marsh Owls Asio capensis were counted emerging from their well-known roost on 29 November. 20 Plain Swifts Apus unicolor were at Layoun on 23rd October, with another 3 at Awfist on 28th. A Bluethroat Luscinia svecica was at Dawra on 29th October.

Records from the period March to April 2002 include the following. The adult Common Gull Larus canus at Oued Sous, Agadir was presumably the same individual present in previous years. There was also a Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis present on 14th April. Isabelline Wheatears Oenanthe isabellina were recorded at Bou-Bernous on 28th March, at Tazenakht on 2nd and 13th April, and at Erfoud on 11th April.

Records from September 2001 to February 2002 include the following. An American Black Duck Anas rubripes was claimed at Oued Massa on 15th February. Five Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were at Sidi Bourhaba on 6th November. An immature Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax was seen 10 km north of Moulay Bousselham, in north-western Morocco, on 28 February; this is an unusual site for this species. At Oued Loukkos, Larache, 900 Red-knobbed Coots Fulica cristata were counted on 4th November and more than 1,000 on 28th February. An adult Common Gull Larus canus was recorded at Oued Sous on 4th  February, an Iceland Gull L. glaucoides at Agadir harbour on 21st  January and a Common Guillemot Uria aalge at Cap Rhir on 2nd February. A Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica was briefly seen at Tassila, Oued Massa, on 21st  September. Isabelline Wheatears Oenanthe isabellina were reported from the Sous Valley south-east of Igoudar on 21st February and near Erfoud on 24th February. During mid-September, Iberian Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus ibericus were seen at Ifrane and Michliffen (with three on 13th), Aguelmame Sidi Ali and Sidi Bettache. At least two adult Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator of ssp.badius were identified at Aoulouz. gorge on 19th September. An Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana was claimed to have been briefly seen from an airplane that had landed at Tangiers on 8 January; this would apparently constitute the first for Morocco and Africa.

Last page update 15th January 2011

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