A long drive from Boumalne du Dades to the Erg Chebbi Dunes via the Todra Gorge. In the gorge we great views of Scrub Warbler, Tristram's Warbler which evaded the camera, also Blue Rock Thrush, House Bunting, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Bee-eaters and more.
Scrub Warbler
Just before arriving at our hotel we stopped in an area of semi desert where we saw our first Fulvous Babblers and Spotted Sandgrouse, also Hoopoe Lark, Bar-tailed Desert Lark and Cream Coloured Courser.
Fulvous Babbler
Spotted Sandgrouse
Spotted Sandgrouse
Our hotel for 3 nights in the Sahara the Auberge Les Dunes D'or
One morning we drove out into the Sahara heading for spot where Brahim (http://www.gayuin.com/) our brilliant guide told us we would see roosting Egyptian Nightjar. He was so confident because one of his Berber Nomad friend Barak had spent the night staking out the Nightjars for us. As we drove out into the desert we saw a man standing in the distance, we drove towards him parked near by then walked over to him. He casually pointed to some vegetation a few metres away where we could see not just 1 Egyptian Nightjar but 2 brilliant!!! After spending time enjoying the them both we moved away to a nearby area for Desert Warbler which we saw very well but once again eluded the camera, also there incredibly more Melodious Warblers!! along with Desert Wheatear, White Crowned Wheatears, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrikes, Rufous Bushchats and the superb Hoopoe Larks.
Egyptian Nightjars
Hoopoe Lark
Hoopoe Lark
Hoopoe Lark
Hoopoe Lark doing its fantastic display flight
Rufous Bushchat
Desert Sparrow(my camera refused to focus lock I think the extreme heat was the cause)
As we made our way back to our hotel for lunch we stopped at a Nomad camp where we saw a couple of Desert Sparrows, more Turtle Doves, Bee-eaters, Melodious Warblers, Olivaceous Warblers and more.
Brown Necked Raven and friend.
After lunch Chris and I made use of the hotels swimming pool till late afternoon when we drove the short distance to Merzouga, where we visited the what I can only describe as their equivalent of allotments, only these ones were fantastically bird rich. It was alive with Pied Flycatchers, Melodious Warblers, Olivaceous Warblers, Rufous Bushchats, Nightingales, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Laughing Doves, Turtle Doves, Hoopoe's, Woodchat Shrikes, Blackcaps, Blackbirds and so much more. As we came out of the site 100+ Bee-eaters appeared, ans absolutely amazing site.
1 of many Pied Flycatchers
Rufous Bushchat also 1 of many
Laughing Dove
Superb Bee-eaters
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