Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Though same applies to Zino's Petrel - one tiny breeding colony, very nearly destroyed a few years ago by a wildfire, and at constant threat from feral rats & cats.
Both in real danger
A
Though same applies to Zino's Petrel - one tiny breeding colony, very nearly destroyed a few years ago by a wildfire, and at constant threat from feral rats & cats.
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Algerian Nuthatch
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Covered extensively on thread and in the attached link:-
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37880023
All the best
Think your link didn't get past the Home Office security checks ...
Covered extensively on thread and in the attached link:-
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37880023
All the best
Actually the only ones that I believe were completely impossible to get are these
White-throated Needletail
Siberian Blue Robin
That was very unfortunate indeed. When I asked the observer why he didn't release the news the same day, he told me "there were some discussions with some people". I told him, they are probably 'jealous'. In the case of the first bird in 2014, we published the news in the same day and I remember a top WP birder wanted to come to see it, but when we checked at lunchtime next day it was gone.White-backed Vulture (one was stationary in Morocco, but the gen came out much too late)
Can't remember if this has been covered, but how accessible is this if you don't have a medium-dark complexion and are not fluent in Arabic? I'd think safe enough for someone who could pass as a local, but an obvious [North] European would be an extremely tempting kidnap target for any isis-sympathetic group.
You could always ask all those europeans who've managed to see it, e.g. Vincent Legrand, PAC, David Monticelli and others.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272490764_Algerian_Nuthatch_a_photographic_trip
http://www.magornitho.org/2017/11/algerian-nuthatch-guerrouch-forest/
That was very unfortunate indeed. When I asked the observer why he didn't release the news the same day, he told me "there were some discussions with some people". I told him, they are probably 'jealous'. In the case of the first bird in 2014, we published the news in the same day and I remember a top WP birder wanted to come to see it, but when we checked at lunchtime next day it was gone.
First, the main language spoken in the region is Tamazight or Berber. Second, in these regions blonde people are not rare too!! (as you most likely seen them in Morocco). But most importantly, the security in Algeria now is not like 'the dark decade' as they call it at home, but is normal as any other country.
There are at least 15-20 good Algerian birders who live or work in neighboring towns and in the last two years they organised several trips to photograph the bird (it was kind of forgotten, and suddenly everyone want to see, photograph and celebrate it). The only problem here for the big year team is obtaining visa quickly as they needed the passports for traveling to other countries.
Excellent to know, thanks!
Though I fear I don't recollect seeing any blond people in Morocco (other than tourists!)
Although it is interesting about the Berber people, I would prefer to speak about birds here!
But the WP Big Year team just doesn't update their list. Yesterday they saw Common Shelduck as an island first on Tenerife. Surely interesting but the year ticks are probably a little more important during a Big Year...
I've commented about their Lesser Scaup on their blog post below. No response yet, but am I missing something.... surely this is a Tufted Duck? Would be nice to see photos of the drake.
http://www.bigyearwp.com/index.php/2017/11/23/sao-vicente-sewage-ponds/