Morocco - hopefully! (1 Viewer)

[wileskm49]

I'm hoping to spend a couple of weeks in Morocco next year and would welcome any hints, tips and suggestions as to best areas and times of year to go. I have Dave Gosney's 'Marocco coast and mountains' as a starter. Unfortunately I'm a bit too long in the tooth to be trekking through mountains or flogging over dunes but will have a hire car.
I will probably start and finish at Agadir due to convenience and ease of flights from this end.
Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated, many thanks in anticipation, Ken Wiles.

 

[Muppit17]

I'm hoping to spend a couple of weeks in Morocco next year and would welcome any hints, tips and suggestions as to best areas and times of year to go. I have Dave Gosney's 'Marocco coast and mountains' as a starter. Unfortunately I'm a bit too long in the tooth to be trekking through mountains or flogging over dunes but will have a hire car.
I will probably start and finish at Agadir due to convenience and ease of flights from this end.
Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated, many thanks in anticipation, Ken Wiles.

Try Crossbill Nature Guide to Southern Morocco published in 2022. Has sites close to Agadir and is up to date. Locations depend on time of year and what your targets are

 

[delia todd]

Hi KM. I've moved your thread to Information Wanted forum, where it should receive a wider audience.

 

[wileskm49]

Try Crossbill Nature Guide to Southern Morocco published in 2022. Has sites close to Agadir and is up to date. Locations depend on time of year and what your targets are

Thanks for the help Muppit17, much appreciated. I'm aiming to go in Spring, late March/early April but am flexible if anyone can suggest a better time. As to targets - hoping for some raptors of course and anything else that comes my way.
Regards, Ken Wiles.

 

[Muppit17]

Thanks for the help Muppit17, much appreciated. I'm aiming to go in Spring, late March/early April but am flexible if anyone can suggest a better time. As to targets - hoping for some raptors of course and anything else that comes my way.
Regards, Ken Wiles.

Your timing is good for greatest diversity and for the peak of migration. But as ever, not all species are possible regardless of timing, hence the question of targets.

In terms of raptors, Bonelli's are regular around the Souss Estuary and at Massa. Booted will be arriving as will Short-toed. Eleonoras normally don't arrive until late April.

Bald Ibis will be very active, Tchagra, Plain Martin and Moussier's are all relatively simple at Massa

The question is always how far to go. The majority of resident species are niche specialist so you need to get to to the right habitats to find them. Being based in Agadir the biggest issue will be the Desert specialist, but a trip to Guelmim area will help but this is still c4hrs drive.

 

[wileskm49]

Your timing is good for greatest diversity and for the peak of migration. But as ever, not all species are possible regardless of timing, hence the question of targets.

In terms of raptors, Bonelli's are regular around the Souss Estuary and at Massa. Booted will be arriving as will Short-toed. Eleonoras normally don't arrive until late April.

Bald Ibis will be very active, Tchagra, Plain Martin and Moussier's are all relatively simple at Massa

The question is always how far to go. The majority of resident species are niche specialist so you need to get to to the right habitats to find them. Being based in Agadir the biggest issue will be the Desert specialist, but a trip to Guelmim area will help but this is still c4hrs drive.

Thanks again Muppet17
Despite being well north of 70 I'm no birding hero and have only been keen for a few years. Consequently most things Moroccan will be new to me.
The loose plan at the moment is Agadir, Tamri, Essaouira areas and either return to Agadir or to Marrakesh for the return home. Think Guelmim might have to wait for another time but thanks for the heads-up, much appreciated.
Regards, Ken Wiles.