Todra Gorge and the Sahara!

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

Serin!

Serin by West Beach

With a brisk northerly wind blowing this morning I did not have high hopes of a good sea watch, I joined AJG in the hide where a few Gannets and Kittiwakes flew West, a Hobby and 2 Shelduck came in and c100 Common Terns were over The Patch. Our sea watch was mercifully cut short by a call from David Campbell who had found a Serin loosely associating with a couple of Linnets by West Beach. As we approached West Beach the Serin flew over our heads, disappearing behind the Britannia PH. We only got as far as the old lighthouse when the Serin flew back over us and back to West Beach where it showed quite well briefly before being flushed by a car.
We made our way to Harry's bench, where another call from David Campbell alerted us to 2 Red Kites over the trapping area, despite much scanning we failed to see the Kites probable due to ineptness on our part. Yet another alert from David got us onto a newly arrived Ring-tail Hen Harrier. As Red Kites were being widely reported I went home and set up my scope over looking the fields and marsh. Red Kites were now being reported behind, to the side and in front of me, despite spending 2hrs scanning not a Kite was seen by me, though I did see 4+ Hobby's, Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzards, lots of Swifts and a Yellow Wagtail.
A stroll around the hay fields this afternoon in the increasingly strong northerly wind was unpleasant and basically a waste of time as apart from a couple of Hobby's and Swifts battling the wind everything else was keeping in shelter.

Monty's!

 When I arrived at the sea watch hide a around 07.30 it was empty which told me all I needed to know about the off shore passage this morning. I moved onto The Patch where c100 Common Terns were feeding and c150 Herring Gulls with a few Great and Lesser Black Backed Gulls were loafing on the shore. I carried on to the open ground at the west end of the power station, where a single male Wheatear was feeding, hopefully its mate was nearby on eggs, a flock of c35 Linnets were present and several Ravens could be heard but not seen. At the observatory DW was ringing a Chiffchaff and Blackcap, a Black Redstart was  on the wires. A stroll around The Desert saw a few resident Common Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs and 4 Swallows very meagre fare.
A look around Scotney saw 3 Grey Plover, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Yellow Wagtails by the road and the usual feral Geese.
While emptying my MV, Steve Gale http://northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.co.uk/ phoned to say a female Montagu's Harrier was circling the fields SW of my house. My scope was already set up in the drive, as I scanned across the fields all I could find was  Marsh Harriers and Common Buzzards, in desperation I drove down towards the Go Cart track, as I did so the Harrier passed me heading for house, a very quick about turn and even quicker drive back to the house where I could see the harrier coming closer and closer, very quickly it circled in front the house before flying over at c60 feet giving fantastic views, unfortunately I was looking straight into the sun.

 Montagu's Harrier

Montagu's Harrier

Montagu's Harrier

A few minutes after the Harrier went over this Common Buzzard did the same.

I joined AJG at the fishing boats 14.00-15.30

Gannet: 9E
Oystercatcher: 3E   1W
Whimbrel: 35E
Bar-tailed Godwit: 1E
Arctic Skua: 1E
Little Tern: 5E
Common Tern: 41E
Sandwich Tern: 9E
Swallow:17 coasting  E
House Martin: 1 E with Swallows

This evening I visited The Midrips, after climbing over the new sea defence wall and negotiating the Norwegian Boulders I made my way along the sea wall to the lagoons where 17 Avocet, 4 Greenshanks, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, a Knot, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plover, 22 Redshank, 12 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 9 Ringed Plovers and 14 Oystercatchers were all feeding. 2 male Wheatears were feeding near the entrance, while along the bank Common Whitethroats, Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits were singing. Then I had to negotiate the obstacle course to get out! Due to the new sea defence work this site is not for the infirm! Of course the MOD could just take the padlock off the gate when they are not using the ranges.

,

Northern France!

A very early start on Monday found myself, Tony, Trevor and David Campbell (DBO assistant Warden) in Crecy Forest at around 07.30 where a reeling Grasshopper Warbler greeted us, followed shortly by Melodious Warbler, Short-toed Treecreepers, fly over Hawfinch. Nightingales, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs Willow Warblers and more were singing throughout the forest, the Woodpeckers let us down though with none being seen.

We move on to Sailly Bray which was disappointing by its usual standards, we still saw several Turtle Doves, Black-winged Stilts, Cattle Egrets, White Storks, Song Thrushes, White Wagtails and more Nightingales.

At La Bassee pools the water levels were very high, 100s of Black-headed Gulls were nesting, a couple of Mediterranean Gulls, Cattle Egrets, a pair of Red-crested Pochards among the commoner wildfowl.

Next stop Marquanterre. As we got out the car David Campbell heard a Bonelli's Warbler singing the other side of the car park, which surprisingly turned out to be the first ever one to be recorded there.

Bonelli's Warbler Marquanterre car park

 Spoonbill

 White Stork

White Stork, Spoonbills, Little & Cattle Egrets, Grey Herons.

Around this superb reserve Spoonbills, White Storks, Little and Cattle Egrets were common place, Warblers were singing all around the reserve, Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Greenshanks, Redshanks, Common Sandpipers, Whimbrel, several Black-necked Grebes, a semi resident Crane, Hobby's also Black Kite and Crested Tits around the car park. The downside to the reserve is the late opening time of 10 A.M. and the ridiculously small viewing holes in the hides which give you back ache or neck ache trying to view the birds, also they made it impossible to get our telescopes onto the Black Kite. The reserve is also very popular with tourists and schools, several coach loads of each were present while we were there. 

Montagu's Harrier

Next stop a short distance from Marquanterre was a superb reed bed by the Somme Estuary which we found last year. Here we had great views of a female Montagu's Harriers, 2 White-spotted Bluethroats, Savi's Warbler, Great White Egrets, flights of Spoonbills, a Peregrine and another Black Kite! and more.

Our last stop was the Oye Plage area. Despite the very high tide we still found 2 Kentish Plovers and Little Terns. On the pools 100s of Sandwich Terns, tens of Avocets, more Black-winged Stilts, Black-necked Grebes, Spoonbills, 3 Ruff, Redshanks, Common Sandpipers and a Wood Sandpiper. A brilliant day out in excellent company ended with a respectable 124 species. 

Spoonbills, Terns, Waders and another Pom Skua.

A late start this morning after a long day in France yesterday.

09.10-11.10 from the sea watch hide with AJG.

Gannet: 17W

Oystercatcher: 2E

Ringed Plover: 2E

Sanderling: 23E

Little Gull: 1E  2nd CY

Little Tern:10E

Sandwich Tern: 34E

Common Tern: 782E

Black Tern: 13+ at The Patch

Harbour Porpoise: 5+

Midday the Yellow Wagtails at Cockles Bridge were still posing on the roadside posts and up to 6 Hobbys were hawking over the fields.

Drake Garganey with 4 Common Scoter this afternoon

14.30-17.45 from the fishing boats with AJG.
Brent Goose: 3E
Shelduck: 1E
Garganey: 1E (Drake)
Common Scoter: 4E
Red-breasted Merganser: 4E
Great-crested Grebe: 9 around
Gannet: 38E      10W
Spoonbill: 3W  (17.15)
Oystercatcher: 5E
Grey Plover: 41E
Knot: 1E
Sanderling: 108E
Dunlin: 3E
Redshank: 1E
Bar-tailed Godwit: 1E
Pomarine Skua: 1E   (16.50)
Arctic Skua: 3E all dark phase
Black-headed Gull: 5E
Mediterranean Gull: 5E
Kittiwake: 8E
Little Tern: 8E
Sandwich Tern: 53E
Common Tern: 1188E
Black Tern: 8E
Swallow: 15N
House Martin: 1N
Yellow Wagtail: 1 N
Linnet: 1N

The Poms keep coming!

 5 Pomarine Skuas lazily flapping by this morning

I arrived  at the sea watch hide around 06.30 with absolutely no expectations, I didn't even take my notebook, so the following is from memory.

06.30-11.00

Brent Goose: 20E

Shelduck: 2E

Shoveler: 4E

Common Scoter: c200E

Red-breasted Merganser: 3E

Black-throated Diver: 4E

Great-crested Grebe: c10 around

Gannet: c100E

Hobby: 1 out

Grey Plover: c8E

Sanderling: 3E

Knot: 1E

Whimbrel: c20E

Pomarine Skua: 17E

Little Gull: 2E

Kittiwake: c15E

Common tern: c200 around

Sandwich tern: c100 around

Alba Wagtail: 1E

Swallow: 6 in

By 11.00 A.M. I was on sea watch over load having seen the best part of 150 Pomarine Skuas in the last few days, I was in need of a full English.

1 of 4 Yellow Wagtails at Cockles Bridge

A stop at Cockles Bridge saw 4 Yellow wagtails, a corn bunting and 2 Red-legged Partridges.

Lunchtime from the garden 6 Hobby's over the fields, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Common Buzzards, a Kestrel, a Little Egret and several Grey Herons  coming and going from the Heronry.

On Walland this afternoon 2 Turtle Doves, several Tree Sparrows, 2 Common Buzzards and several Marsh Harriers. 

A day in France tomorrow so hopefully loads of birds.

Morocco day 2 & 3 Ouarzazate to Boumalne du Dades/ Tagdilt track.

Most of day 2 was  spent driving to Boumalne du Dades via Amerzgane and the Tizi-n-Tichkja Pass where we stopped for Tristram's Warbler and manged to see at least 2 though they did not pose for the camera. On the way we also saw Long-legged Buzzards, Bonnelli's Warblers, Melodious Warblers, 2 Barbary Partridges, many Turtle Doves and more. At Amerzgane we saw Maghreb Wheatear that also was camera shy.

Our hotel for a couple of nights at Boumalne du Dades.

Day 3 we drove into the semi desert outside the town where all the target species performed admirably among the flowers of the Desert!!!!

The flowers of the Desert!!!  Discarded polythene bags as far as the eye can see.

 Red-rumped Wheatear (male)

Red-rumped Wheatear (juvenile)

Red-rumped Wheatear (female)

 Desert Wheatear

Desert Wheatear

 Thick-billed Lark

 Thick-billed Lark

Thick-billed Lark

 Temminck's Horned Lark

Temminck's Horned Lark

 Trumpeter Finch

Trumpeter Finch

Thekla Lark

Melodious Warblers were very common in just about every habitat.

Further into semi desert Brahim promised us we would see Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. The car came to a stop and right beside us was a flock of 108 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.

 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

Chris, Brahim, Hamid our driver and Mark enjoying al fresco lunch after seeing not 1 but 4  "Gayuin" (Pharaoh Eagle Owls) If you want see them book with http://www.gayuin.com/

 3 Pharaoh Eagle Owls in this picture

 Pharaoh Eagle Owl

Trumpeter Finch nest

Also seen here were Desert Larks, Lanner, Long-legged Buzzards, Woodchat Shrikes, Southern grey Shrikes, Black Wheatears, Pied flycatcher and more Melodious Warblers.

Pomarine Skuas

1 of todays closer Pomarine Skuas

Another marathon sea watch and well worth the pain.

06.15-19.00 

Brent Goose: 25E
Shelduck: 2E
Garganey: 1E
Common Scoter: 321E
Red-breasted Merganser: 5E
Red-throated Diver: 6E
Black-throated Diver: 3E
Great-crested Grebe: 15+ around
Fulmar: 2E  1W
Manx Shearwater: 1W
Gannet: 226E   6W
Oystercatcher: 18E
Ringed Plover: 3E
Grey Plover: 4E
Knot: 8E
Dunlin: 7E
Sanderling: 26E
Bar-tailed Godwit: 13E
Whimbrel: 37E
Great Skua: 3E
Pomarine Skua: 119E
Arctic Skua: 11E
Little Gull: 2E
Kittiwake: 24E
Little Tern: 29E
Sandwich Tern: 244E
Commic Tern: 566E
Black Tern: 1 around
Guillemot: 2 on
Auk sp: 6E
Swallow: 4 in
Harbour Porpoise: 10+
Grey Seal: 1

The Black Tern that fed  along the shore most the day

A few Poms!

A long and sometimes frustrating sea watch today 05.30-18.05. As news of flocks of Pomarine Skuas to the west came through, the wind at Dungeness moved from SE to NE. Typically not long after I left through hunger and cold Nick Green (http://theshadoxhurstgarden.blogspot.co.uk/) had  a flock of 19 past.
Common Scoter: 352E
Long-tailed Duck: 1E
Red-breasted Merganser: 1E
Red-throated Diver: 4E
Black-throated Diver: 2E
Great Northern Diver: 4E
Great-crested Grebe: 17 around
Fulmar: 8E    1W
Gannet: 297E   19W
Great White Egret: 1 out
Oystercatcher: 13E
Whimbrel: 14E
Bar-tailed Godwit: 21E
Knot: 25E
Sanderling: 19E
Dunlin: 1E
Great Skua: 1E
Arctic Skua: 11E + 1 o/s (10DP, 2LP)
Pomarine Skua: 15E  (2-07.10, 1-07.20, 1-11.45, 4-13.08, 2-14.55, 2-15.55, 3-17.21)
Little Gull: 25E
Kittiwake: 73E
Little Tern:20E
Sandwich Tern: 290E
Common Tern: 537E
Arctic Tern: 4E
Black tern: 3E
Guillemot: 1E
Auk sp: 32E  3W
Swallow: 22 in
Harbour Porpoise: 5+
Grey Seal: 1