1st Prize Morocco Trip - Photo ids

[Black Wheatear]

Bird ID Competition

Myself and some other bird guides thought it would be fun to start a thread for a photo ID competition. The competition will involve 20 photos, not great quality, where the most correct answers will win a place on an autumn birding safari as part of the guiding team to Morocco 2007! All photographs were taken in either Spain or Morocco.

Entrance to the competition is open only to, and exclusively for, current members of birdforum.

The 20 photos will be posted as follows:

1st March 2007 : 3 photos Nos. 1, 2, 3
11th March 2007: 3 photos Nos. 4, 5, 6
27th March 2007: 4 photos Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10

NOTE: No new entrants will be accepted after 9th April 2007. All entrants must have submitted their answers for photos 1-10 before 10th April 2007.

10th April 2007: 3 photos Nos. 11, 12, 13 IDs to be received before 24th April 2007
24th April 2007: 3 photos Nos. 14, 15, 16 IDs to be received before 8th May 2007
8th May 2007: 3 photos Nos. 17, 18, 19 IDs to be received before 17th May 2007
17th May 2007: 1 photo!! No. 20 ID to be received by 31st May 2007

In the event that several people guess all 20 photographs correctly, the competition will go into a play-off of those clever folk! Life would then become extremely tough for these qualifiers, we promise!! We would post 2 photos at a time at weekly intervals until eventually we have a clear winner.

Right then, down to the nitty gritty!

Competition Rules

1. All entrants must post here to this thread to register for the competition (for membership verification) and then register at the Contact Us page on www.spanishbirds.com .
2. No new registrations for this competition will be accepted from the date of the THIRD round ID deadline of photographs posted here i.e. 9th April 2007.
3. Each entrant has only one guess at each photo and this must be sent via the Contact Us page at www.spanishbirds.com please also give your birdforum name and email address. Answers should refer to Photo 1, Photo 2 etc., etc.
4. Entrants discovered or suspected by the organizers to have had help from any other person/s will be immediately disqualified. No identifications are to be posted to this thread.
5. Closing date for the competition and by which time the final answer must be received is 31st May 2007. The correct answers will be posted to this thread on 1st June 2007.
6. Should the competition involve a play-off among winners of the 20 photo IDs, or more than one with less than 20 photos, whichever is the greater number of photos identified, will commence 1st June 2007 and run until we have a clear winner.
7. The organizers rulings on all aspects of this competition shall be final and binding on all participants.

The Prize

The winner will get a free place on one of the autumn bird safaris in Morocco in the autumn of 2007, as one of the guides for the tour, and a contribution in travel expenses to and from Marrakech, with a maximum of 100 pounds (payable on showing us the real and ticketed travel expenses in Marrakech).

For all the details of the trip have a look at www.spanishbirds.com and click on Morocco Birding Safaris.

The prize is not transferable and only valuable in one (which one, depends on availability) of our autumn Bird Safaris to Morocco in 2007.

If the winner is not able to make the trip for what ever reason there will be no compensation.

For friends, don’t even think of asking us for our help, you have no chance!!!!!

The first 3 photos appear below and from left to right are Photo 1, 2, 3.

[Jos Stratford]

The winner will get a free place on one of the autumn bird safaris in Morocco in the autumn of 2007, as one of the guides for the tour


The winner gets to be a guide?!

[Black Wheatear]

Jos, not sure if your post is a complaint? The winner would be part of a guiding team, not ‘The’ guide! Seems to me, call me old fashioned, that the person who wins this competition would not only enjoy a fantastic experience, but also get to Morocco for virtually no cost. Of course whosoever wins this competition would be very well placed to help less experienced birders on the tour.

[Steve Lister]

Count me in.

I just got back from ten days in Morocco last night - failed to see one of the species in the first three photographs though. Saw the other two.

Only thing I am unsure about is the practicality and also legality of the winner working as a guide in Morocco. Finding and identifying birds for less skilled birders is one thing but wld the winner be required to drive? i would not fancy diving some of the roads we covered last week myself. And what are the work permit requirements in Morocco?

Steve

[Black Wheatear]

Count me in.

I just got back from ten days in Morocco last night - failed to see one of the species in the first three photographs though. Saw the other two.

Only thing I am unsure about is the practicality and also legality of the winner working as a guide in Morocco. Finding and identifying birds for less skilled birders is one thing but wld the winner be required to drive? i would not fancy diving some of the roads we covered last week myself. And what are the work permit requirements in Morocco?

Steve

Hi Steve,

The quick answer is no driving or other work is involved other than helping tour members identify birds. We operate with 2 4x4 Land Cruisers with drivers. So no legal obligations involved. I and other guides provide for our own travel insurance, so the winner would be expected to do likewise. That's pretty much it really, no hidden extras or catches. Hope this answers your queries? Did you enjoy your time in Morocco?

[Steve Lister]

Hi Steve,

The quick answer is no driving or other work is involved other than helping tour members identify birds. We operate with 2 4x4 Land Cruisers with drivers. So no legal obligations involved. I and other guides provide for our own travel insurance, so the winner would be expected to do likewise. That's pretty much it really, no hidden extras or catches. Hope this answers your queries? Did you enjoy your time in Morocco?

That sounds fine. Hope I win!

And yes, I very much enjoyed Morocco. It was my third visit. We saw 203 species, 20 of which were new for my Morocco list and two, African Desert Warbler and Thick-billed Lark, were complete lifers. Most unexpected species were Red-breasted Merganser at Oued Sous and Isabelline Wheatear south of Erfoud.

Steve

[Jos Stratford]

Red-breasted Merganser at Oued Sous

Saw that in December! Right where the river joins the sea?

[Frenchy]

Count me in.

Just as a technicality though, what taxonomy are you looking for in the identifications? British and Dutch are very different for example, or we could go to someone like Clements, or Sibley and Monroe.

This may or may not be very important!

[Mike Feely]

I'm in

Although, with messers Lister, French & Stratford registered (are you actually in Jos?) so far , i dont really fancy my chances!

Got to be in it to win it though.

Good luck all.

Mike

[Black Wheatear]

Count me in.

Just as a technicality though, what taxonomy are you looking for in the identifications? British and Dutch are very different for example, or we could go to someone like Clements, or Sibley and Monroe.

This may or may not be very important!

Hi, correct id will do, non specific taxonomy will suffice. There are plenty of older birders who really cannot be bothered with various splits and spelling changes like 'gray' for 'grey' etc. So just give us species id. However, like you say Dutch and British can be very different, so British names please. Good point Frenchy didn't think of that!

[Black Wheatear]

That sounds fine. Hope I win!

And yes, I very much enjoyed Morocco. It was my third visit. We saw 203 species, 20 of which were new for my Morocco list and two, African Desert Warbler and Thick-billed Lark, were complete lifers. Most unexpected species were Red-breasted Merganser at Oued Sous and Isabelline Wheatear south of Erfoud.

Steve

Very jealous of you and Jos, I have never had Red-breasted Merganser in Morocco!!! Had Isabelline near to M'hamed in April last year. Did you see many Cream-coloured Coursers? We found them everywhere we expected during February. Also found our Houbara's Bustard again, this makes it 4 times out of 5 at our site! What struck me Steve was the almost total lack of migrants, just a few Barn Swallows, lots of White Storks, few Black Kites and Booted Eagles, very few House Martins and a solitary Sand Martin. Saying this, we spent very little time on the North Coast.

[Jos Stratford]

Did you see many Cream-coloured Coursers? We found them everywhere we expected during February. What struck me Steve was the almost total lack of migrants, just a few Barn Swallows, lots of White Storks, few Black Kites and Booted Eagles, very few House Martins and a solitary Sand Martin.

This last trip (December to January) I was also in the far south in Western Sahara - Cream-coloured Coursers several times there, but did not see at the usual sites on the 'standard loop', but others did see them at those sites too whilst I was there. From late December. a trickle of migrants already moving in the southern parts of Western Sahara, incl House Martin and Sand Martin.

[gerdwichers8]

Sanddunes to conquer by a recumbent bike is a hard thing. Better give it a try in this competition.
In any case ll take the following pics as some substitute for the real thing.
So I am registered now.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I'll have a go, in the sound knowledge that I won't win.

[lou salomon]

I'll have a go, in the sound knowledge that I won't win.

may i use these words for myself (andrew's eloquence is hard to beat). i'm in.

[Black Wheatear]

Brave folk Andrew & Lou, might even have used Andrew's words myself if I had been allowed to enter. One thing for all, many of the photos are not what you might first think they are, so take your time in giving your answers!! I think it is pretty safe to say things get harder in the 2nd half!

[Mike Feely]

I think it is pretty safe to say things get harder in the 2nd half!

Oh dear!

Are you going to publish everybodys results at the end - i might have to go and hide for a while if you do!

Mike

[Black Wheatear]

Oh dear!

Are you going to publish everybodys results at the end - i might have to go and hide for a while if you do!

Mike

Being not a bad set of lads, we had not even thought of publishing everybodys results at the end. Having said that, you certainly give us food for thought!!! No, we will only post the correct ids and obviously post the names of those who may qualify for the play-off (assuming there is more than one with the most correct answers). Rest easy Mike!

:t:

[Joe Ray]

Count me in.

[JWN Andrewes]

Ok, I'm up for it!

James

[gerdwichers8]

But It may be nice just to see the number of correct answers of every participant?
Even if one has numberwise a low score it s fun to watch and study the pictures..
Some may be tough in particular and may teach us the lessons in identification we need.
After all we are birding and thats the thing that really counts!

[Ghostly Vision]

Well I'm in too, though never having birded in Morocco I'm going to be at a disadvantage. Similarly due to the fact that I am better at setting these quizzes than answering them! Add to the fact that there are already several Quizzing guru's registered, and I reckon I'm not going to prove to be the fizziest pop in the fridge!

The prize is too good to turn down, though, so I have to give it a go.

Answer for picture 1 - ah, just jesting

GV

[dantheman]

Ok, I'm in. I can always aim to get at least one right from each set of three. . .







;)

[Black Wheatear]

I am sure all you experts are jesting about your proclaimed modesty! I was worried we may have begun with too simple a choice of photos, but judging by answers received so far, no one is going to get all 20 correct!!!!!

:eek!:

[Ghostly Vision]

I am sure all you experts are jesting about your proclaimed modesty! I was worried we may have begun with too simple a choice of photos, but judging by answers received so far, no one is going to get all 20 correct!!!!!

:eek!:


Tease - you haven't had JWN Andrewes' answers yet obviously!

GV

[Black Wheatear]

Call me smug, but I reckon, based on the expertise so far on display, that JWNA will fail on correct 1st 3 answers!!

[Black Wheatear]

I, most humbly, eat my words, though not necessarily re JWNA!!!! From the replies it is interesting so far and can't wait already for 1st June when we can post the correct answers!

:eat:

[Black Wheatear]

I will be posting the next round of photos 4, 5, 6 on Sunday March 11th. Later the same day I am off to lead another tour to Morocco and will be back on the 26th March. If any of you have queries about this thread, please post here before 15:00hrs on the 11th or wait until my return on March 26th. Thanks and hope you are enjoying the competition so far?

[Black Wheatear]

Thought some of you might like to look at some scenic photos taken during our February safari. Can't really post any bird photos as it might help with the answers of the competition. At least these pics provide a taster of the areas we visit and what the winner will be seeing!

[tom mckinney]

I'm in.

[dan pointon]

I'm in too.

[James Lowther]

count me in please!!

[dantheman]

Q- Don't want to assume either way, but can a species crop up more than once? This would obviously affect the way you identify a species if you assume it 'cannot' occur twice, if it has already occurred. . .

[Black Wheatear]

Q- Don't want to assume either way, but can a species crop up more than once? This would obviously affect the way you identify a species if you assume it 'cannot' occur twice, if it has already occurred. . .


Hi Dan,

No, at least not within the first 20 photos. If the competition runs into a play-off, then we would reserve the right to use species appearing in the first 20. Does that make sense? Hope so! Good luck. Thought I would put up 3 more photos of the area where we travel, think it is nice for the prospective winner to get a glimpse of such a wonderful birding country.

;)

[Black Wheatear]

And it’s seconds away for round 2. Below are photos 4, 5 and 6. Please can I remind anyone joining this competition, that not only do you have to register here (to confirm membership of Birdforum), but you also have to register at the contact us page at www.spanishnature.com

For those joining now, please be sure to read the rules of the competition at the beginning of this thread.

The closing date for registration is 9th April 2007.

Round 3 photos 7,8,9,10 to be posted here 27th March 2007

Good luck everyone!

[Harry Hussey]

Count me in too, I missed rather a few of the choice Moroccan specialities last April, so a return trip could be worthwhile...just hope I'd make it through without getting ill if I did go back!
Harry

[redeyedvideo]

I'd love to have a go but I'm ploughing through a field guide for a holiday in April (that's my excuse anyway) but I'll have a go at the scenic pics in this post (http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=828412&postcount=29),

1) Gorge du Todra
2) Zaida Plateaux
3) Erg Chebbi
4) Gorge du Todra

How did I do? ;)


Dave J

[Black Wheatear]

Sorry to be posting round 3 so late in the day!! Only now returned from what ended as a 15 day foray to Morocco. Fantastic time and hope to post the trip report in the next couple of weeks on trip section on Birdforum.

I note several people who stated their intention to join this competition when we announced our proposals under the title forthcoming photo competition, have so far failed to join, why? Pictures too difficult? Shame on you! Have a go, it costs nothing but pride.

Okay, please see below 4 pictures which take us to the all important halfway stage of the competition. Please read the following and for further information the opening rules and regs on this thread.

IMPORTANT:

1. Answers to all of the pictures in rounds 1, 2 and 3 must be received by April 9th 2007.

2. All those wishing to enter this competition must have registered here and on the contact us page of www.spanishnature.com by April 9th 2007.

Good luck to all.

[Steve Lister]

Why do Mystery Photograph competitions always have to include at least one horrible soggy mess?
Steve

[Black Wheatear]

I'd love to have a go but I'm ploughing through a field guide for a holiday in April (that's my excuse anyway) but I'll have a go at the scenic pics in this post (http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=828412&postcount=29),

1) Gorge du Todra
2) Zaida Plateaux
3) Erg Chebbi
4) Gorge du Todra

How did I do? ;)


Dave J

Dave,

You were right with the last 2. The first is Gorges de Dades and the other is near to Ouarzazate. Pretty good effort and thought the scrutiny of a fieldguide a poor excuse for not entering the competition proper!!

[Black Wheatear]

Why do Mystery Photograph competitions always have to include at least one horrible soggy mess?
Steve

Steve,

Bet you wouldn't refer to your partner as a horrible soggy mess whilst in the shower, but then again......

[Black Wheatear]

Count me in too, I missed rather a few of the choice Moroccan specialities last April, so a return trip could be worthwhile...just hope I'd make it through without getting ill if I did go back!
Harry

Know what you mean Harry. Usually I get by okay, but always include a few pills and a cork in my luggage!

[redeyedvideo]

Pretty good effort and thought the scrutiny of a fieldguide a poor excuse for not entering the competition proper!!


True. :t:

Only 50% correct for the scenic shots, what chance would I have on birds? ;)

Dave J

[Black Wheatear]

:t: Just a reminder to everyone, that 'all' answers to the first 10 photos must be received by the end of the day on 9th April 2007. Also no new entrants can be accepted after the 9th April 2007.

I hope to receive all answers to the 1st 10 photos by end of the day 9th April 2007.

Good Luck everyone!

[Allen]

May as well have a try

[Black Wheatear]

Okay one and all, please don't forget to submit all your answers for the 1st 10 photos by the end of today. Also any new entrants must register and id all the photos by the end of today.

Thanks, interesting answers so far!

Good Luck,

[Black Wheatear]

Please see below our 4th round of photos. No new entrants can now be accepted to this competition, but anyone who fancies their hand at trying to identify the first 10 photos i.e. rounds 1, 2 and 3, are welcome to post their answers here!! Please note all answers, from those registered in this competition, for round 4 must be received before the 24th April 2007.

The answers received from the first half of the competition have produced a couple of entrants who are equal on points and the rest not far behind, so all is to play for!!

Good Luck. :t:

[Ghostly Vision]

Hi Peter

Due to my trip away, I missed the chance to submit answers for pictures 6-10. Would you accept a late submission?

Thanks

Sean

[Black Wheatear]

Hi Peter

Due to my trip away, I missed the chance to submit answers for pictures 6-10. Would you accept a late submission?

Thanks

Sean

:t: No problem seeing as it is you Sean. Look forward to receiving your answers.

[Black Wheatear]

Sorry folks, but you know the problem with the site being down for a few days and I was away yesterday! Here is the next round of photos. Good luck and will post-up deadlines later.

[Black Wheatear]

Pleased to see everyone hanging in there and the last round proved one of the easiest so far!! Herewith are the photos for the 6th round. Please remember all answers are due for this round before the 17th May 2007.

Good luck.

[Black Wheatear]

Sorry everyone, I am afraid I had to depart unexpectedly to lead a group tour and have only just returned!! Still with only one photograph to identify, then I am sure you all have plenty of time?

The last round was unique in that everyone named a juvenile Woodlark as Skylark, so it was the 1st time all answers were the same and wrong!

So here we are approaching the close of the competition and I will soon be able to tell you how you all got on. Good luck with the last photo and look forward to receiving your ids.

:cool:

[Black Wheatear]

Well, with Gerd off shortly I thought I would get ahead of myself here and give answers to the first 19 photos. Judging by some of the answers I received, then some of these answers will be unexpected!!

Photo 1. Orphean Warbler
Photo 2. Rock Bunting – Very scruffy individual!
Photo 3. Olivaeous Warbler
Photo 4. Desert Lark
Photo 5. House Bunting
Photo 6. Booted Eagle – few got this right
Photo 7. Red-rumped Wheatear
Photo 8. Sub-alpine Warbler
Photo 9. Thekla Lark
Photo 10. Corn Bunting – no one got this bird.
Photo 11. Tawny Pipit
Photo 12. White-crowned Wheatear
Photo 13. Mourning Wheatear
Photo 14. Fulvous Babbler
Photo 15. Melodious Warbler
Photo 16. Spectacled Warbler
Photo 17. Sardinian Warbler
Photo 18. Woodlark
Photo 19. Bonelli’s Warbler
Photo 20. Yeh, yeh just wait!!!!

After checking, we think we have a leader by one point and will list the top five names and points on Friday 1st June together with the answer to photo 20.

Phew, a long running competition and I wonder how folk who didn’t enter would have managed?

Thanks everyone who joined the competition and hope you enjoyed the photos.

:t:

[Black Wheatear]

Yep, at last the results and I will not publish the points for those outside of the top five entrants. I reckon those finishing below the top five owe me a beer for not causing any embarrassment.

The answers most found difficult were as follows:

Booted Eagle = 0 correct answers
Corn Bunting = 0 correct answers
Woodlark = 0 correct answers
Subalpine Warbler = 2 correct answers
Olivaeous Warbler = 3 correct answers

Well it is a great pleasure to announce the top five entrants as follows:

Frenchy- 16 points
Steve Lister- 14 points
Gerd Wichers- 14 points
JWN Andrewes- 13 points
Ghostly Vision- 12 points

So congratulations go to Frenchy for a great effort and impressive/consistent answers. Also commiserations to Steve, Gerd, JWN Andrewes and Ghostly Vision for all making the competition so close, sure I would not have managed any better. To all the others thanks for your participation and hope you enjoyed the competition.

To Frenchy, we will be in touch soon regarding the prize and will be doing this by private email, is this okay?

:t: Thanks to one and all.

[JWN Andrewes]

Thanks peter, most enjoyable quiz. And well done Frenchy, enjoy the trip!

James

[Steve Lister]

Thanks peter, most enjoyable quiz. And well done Frenchy, enjoy the trip!

James

Seconded from the second place - well done Paul and thanks Peter.

Steve

[Black Wheatear]

Dear James and Steve,

One of the rotten things for me is there has to be those who do not win! It has been a pleasure and I enjoyed the answers and comments during the competition!! I hope we can convince our big chief for a repeat next year, but might also do a few fun photos here to see if others do as well as our top five.

[Frenchy]

Wow!

After a week of missing greater yellowlegs, missing train connections, whacking my head, getting a cold and the start of the hayfever season to boot, i'm very surprised to have won, but very welcome it is too! Thanks Peter, and thanks Steve and James.

Look forward to your e-mail Peter...

[Allen]

So what was answer to number 20?

[Black Wheatear]

Ooops!!! In my excitement I had neglected to mention that the correct answer to photo No.20 was, as all managed correctly, Bonelli's Eagle (with a full crop).

Sorry Allen, hope you enjoyed the competition?

[Allen]

I certainly did although couldn't remember my answers in comparison to the correct ones which would have been nice (to see where I had gone wrong) - I almost went for the Corn Bunting if I remember rightly - can't remember what got submitted instead!!

[Black Wheatear]

Hi Allen,

Your wish is my command. Photo 3 your answer Orphean Warb. Photo 6 your answer Tawny Eagle. Photo 8 your answer Sardinian Warb. Photo 10 your answer Calandra Lark. Photo 11 your answer Crested Lark. Photo 13, 14, 15 your answers in order Black-eared Wheatear, Long-legged Buzzard, Icterine Warb. Photo 18 your answer Common Skylark.

I hope the above is helpful.

Thanks for your participation Allen.