Ouarzazate area, Morocco - A brief report from a 3-night trip 22/4/23 - 25/4/23 (1 Viewer)

[wolfbirder]

Thanks for the report - I'm heading there next week. You didn't try for the Egyptian nightjars that have been reported a couple of times recently on ebird at the "ecolodge" near the reservoir at Ouarzaate?

Hi Arbu

I wish I had spent more time in the immediate Ouarzazate area but I was short on time and had key targets. I wrongly thought Fulvous Babblers could only be seen further east, and spent a whole day unnecessarily travelling that direction.

I didn't need Egyptian Nightjar as I saw a dozen close together on a trip to the Israeli Dead Sea.

You hope to see Pharaoh Eagle Owl?

 

[Arbu]

Hi Arbu

I wish I had spent more time in the immediate Ouarzazate area but I was short on time and had key targets. I wrongly thought Fulvous Babblers could only be seen further east, and spent a whole day unnecessarily travelling that direction.

I didn't need Egyptian Nightjar as I saw a dozen close together on a trip to the Israeli Dead Sea.

You hope to see Pharaoh Eagle Owl?

Not sure. I have seen it before, albeit not very well, and I'm more inclined to head west from Ouarz.

 

[Paul Chapman]

As you may or may not be aware, Maghreb Lark was re-lumped by IOC. There has always been the issue that some Crested Larks are longer billed than some Maghreb Larks and there is was a feeling that they got the subspecies mixed. The whole reason for the split is that originally is that they occupied a different biome and that morphologically these adaptions were manifest. It was backed by a different song. The issue being if they are not separated by biome then most of the separate species argument falls away. I personally have never seen (or more importantly heard) a Maghreb lark on the high arid steppes, but seen plenty in the sandy desert edge further south.

This doesn't mean that they dont occur - you are correct that the type specimen was taken north of the High Atlas near Marrakech. It is also the case that post breeding all of these arid country birds are nomadic, primarily driven by historic rains and where food is. This means that they can be found in surprising places. However it is more unlike in the breeding season and they (normally) revert to type. As for the record - I see it is 'validated' but no idea by whom. The location is strange - I have been to the area - and the habitat is atypical for Maghreb. As for the embedded calls - I am not sure that you can tell calling juveniles apart. I would leave these as riggenbachi personally - but no idea what information has been given to suggest that they are randonii - the location is far from their supposed home range.

It is funny how things transpire. I was looking at the taxonomy thread on Birdforum and post #145 in Alaudidae pops up with the latest DNA on larks. It summary shows Maghreb is not closely related to Crested but is more closely related to Sun Lark of sub-saharan W Africa. However randonii is now proposed as sub species of Crested.

No idea how robust this is and how long it will take to filter into mainstream lists. However just shows the issue at the cutting edge of speciation. Morocco is interesting as it is at the crossroads of influences from all points of the compass, and isolated since the end of the last ice age and African humid period. My guess is more species will be split out

I stopped at the cluster of records in eBird in the attached yesterday to look at the larks. I am probably being a bit slow here due to lack of sleep but can you confirm your current thinking on range and indeed subspecific variation in Maghreb Lark?

Am I right to take it from this that the long-billed larks here are very unlikely to be Maghreb & do not sound like the birds from further south east so the subspecies likely to be transferred to Crested Lark if split again?

I did not really trust my ears on unfamiliar Lark song. I seem to recall some sound recording being done near Ouarzazate on my previous visit to the area in 2011.

In passing:-

Nick - massive thanks!

Tote - the dogs at Tagdilt are definitely less intimidating than when I was also there in 2011!

Many thanks

Paul

 

[Muppit17]

I stopped at this cluster of records yesterday to look at the larks. I am probably being a bit slow here due to lack of sleep but can you confirm your current thinking on range and indeed subspecific variation in Maghreb Lark?

Am I right to take it from this that the long-billed larks here are very unlikely to be Maghreb & do not sound like the birds from further south east? I did not really trust my ears on unfamiliar Lark song. I seem to recall some sound recording being done near Ouarzazate on my previous visit to the area in 2011.

In passing:-

Nick - massive thanks!

Tote - the dogs at Tagdilt are definitely less intimidating than when I was also there in 2011!

Many thanks

Paul

Paul,

The following is a personal view and is dependent upon finding breeding (and singing birds) and is built up upon multiple annual visits since 2004. The key difference to most of Europe is that here many of the species are both niche specialists and highly nomadic.

However adopting the habitat definitions (a simplification of the biomes in Morocco) used in the Crossbill nature guide of Southern Morocco; the area around Ouarzazate is the High Arid Steppe - generally around 1200m asl and on rocky substrate - Boulmane dades/Tagdilt track being the typical stony desert that can see sub-zero temperatures in winter/spring. I have never found what I consider to be true Maghreb Larks in this area.

Heading east and or south you drop off this plain and drop to c700m asl, you comes to the Saharan edge, that is both hotter and drier and has substantial areas of sand - this is the area where Crested is very scarce and Maghreb is typical - but in the sandier areas only.

For me the songs are similar of the three crested larks - however the last phrase of Crested drops - making it sound slightly depressed!. Thekla's rises in the final phrase making it seem a happy lark! Maghreb to my ears goes straight through - no rise, no drop. Simple, but I have found that it works.

I always struggled with what I thought were randonii as they didn't fit what I thought was the solution above. The latest DNA suggests that these are Crested Larks makes sense to me! (if I was looking at randonii).

Some riggenbachi Crested Larks in my experience, can be very long billed, but sing differently and are found on the gravel plains.

However (and there is always a however) all arid country specialists can be nomadic to chase the rains. Therefore they can be found far from normal range (but normally only when conditions 'at home' are poor). I also cannot ignore that the type specimen for Maghreb Lark was taken north of the High Atlas 'close' to Marrakech.

In addition it has long been known that some species that are sandy desert specialist will come to the wide Oued valleys that are dry and sandy (most of the time). Egyptian Nightjar & Fulvous Babbler are examples of that. They have been found in the Souss and more recently around Ouarzazate. The dried bed of the barrage Mansour El-Haddabi is perhaps now a similar area (it was last full in 2014) and perhaps true Maghreb Larks are moved into the area - despite looking I have never seen one here.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Paul,

The following is a personal view and is dependent upon finding breeding (and singing birds) and is built up upon multiple annual visits since 2004. The key difference to most of Europe is that here many of the species are both niche specialists and highly nomadic.

However adopting the habitat definitions (a simplification of the biomes in Morocco) used in the Crossbill nature guide of Southern Morocco; the area around Ouarzazate is the High Arid Steppe - generally around 1200m asl and on rocky substrate - Boulmane dades/Tagdilt track being the typical stony desert that can see sub-zero temperatures in winter/spring. I have never found what I consider to be true Maghreb Larks in this area.

Heading east and or south you drop off this plain and drop to c700m asl, you comes to the Saharan edge, that is both hotter and drier and has substantial areas of sand - this is the area where Crested is very scarce and Maghreb is typical - but in the sandier areas only.

For me the songs are similar of the three crested larks - however the last phrase of Crested drops - making it sound slightly depressed!. Thekla's rises in the final phrase making it seem a happy lark! Maghreb to my ears goes straight through - no rise, no drop. Simple, but I have found that it works.

I always struggled with what I thought were randonii as they didn't fit what I thought was the solution above. The latest DNA suggests that these are Crested Larks makes sense to me! (if I was looking at randonii).

Some riggenbachi Crested Larks in my experience, can be very long billed, but sing differently and are found on the gravel plains.

However (and there is always a however) all arid country specialists can be nomadic to chase the rains. Therefore they can be found far from normal range (but normally only when conditions 'at home' are poor). I also cannot ignore that the type specimen for Maghreb Lark was taken north of the High Atlas 'close' to Marrakech.

In addition it has long been known that some species that are sandy desert specialist will come to the wide Oued valleys that are dry and sandy (most of the time). Egyptian Nightjar & Fulvous Babbler are examples of that. They have been found in the Souss and more recently around Ouarzazate. The dried bed of the barrage Mansour El-Haddabi is perhaps now a similar area (it was last full in 2014) and perhaps true Maghreb Larks are moved into the area - despite looking I have never seen one here.

This is brilliant thank you. It certainly provides an excellent basis for some reading and thought & suggests as I was aware that my cursory spell there (as I knew would be the case) was both woefully inadequate and encouragement to return if the opportunity presents more quickly than my last twelve year gap!

Thank you again.

Paul

 

[wolfbirder]

Be interesting to hear how you get on Paul.

All in good time of course!

 

[Paul Chapman]

Nick

It was a very short focused trip.

5 June 2023
Merja Zerga - 2 Marsh Owl (in addition to a few other bits)
Lac de Sidi Boughaba - Maghreb Owl found by day plus 10 Marbled Duck, 40 White-headed Duck & 40 Crested Coot

6 June 2023
Ifrane area - 5 Atlas Wheatear, 10 Atlas Flycatcher, 2 Moussier's Redstart & 3 Levaillant's Woodpecker plus 8 Eleonora's Falcons

7 June 2023
Travelling - 20 Atlas Wheatear & Lanner
Imiter- Pharoah Eagle Owl (adult & two well grown chicks), 3 Mourning Wheatear (male, female & fledged young) & Lanner

8 June 2023
Tagdilt Tip - 10 Thick-billed Lark, 10 Temminck's Lark & 6 Red-rumped Wheatear
Travelling - 2 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Tabourahte - the above long-billed Crested Lark population (randonii?) & Rufous Bushchat

So 3.5 days birding - 5 ticks - Marsh, Maghreb & Pharoah Eagle Owls, Atlas Wheatear & Atlas Flycatcher amongst 131 species

This leaves me Andalusian Hemipode in Morocco & other targets in Western Sahara & Mauretania.

Pics will appear on my World Photo Yearlist thread in due course but I need to finish identifying a bunch of moths from last night's field moth trapping and my Ontario & Michigan pics first and I also have a short Majorca trip planned next week:-

Paul's 2023 Photographic World List

Well, let's see how long I can keep on top of this... :) 1. Northern Shoveler 2. Gadwall 3. Eurasian Wigeon 4. Mallard 5. Northern Pintail 6. Goosander 7. Pied Avocet 8. Grey Plover 9. Eurasian Curlew 10. Ruddy Turnstone 11. Dunlin 12. Common Snipe 13. Little Egret 14. Barn Owl 15. Merlin 16...

www.birdforum.net

No rest for the wicked. 😀

All the best

Paul

 

[wolfbirder]

Nick

It was a very short focused trip.

5 June 2023
Merja Zerga - 2 Marsh Owl (in addition to a few other bits)
Lac de Sidi Boughaba - Maghreb Owl found by day plus 10 Marbled Duck, 40 White-headed Duck & 40 Crested Coot

6 June 2023
Ifrane area - 5 Atlas Wheatear, 10 Atlas Flycatcher, 2 Moussier's Redstart & 3 Levaillant's Woodpecker plus 8 Eleonora's Falcons

7 June 2023
Travelling - 20 Atlas Wheatear & Lanner
Imiter- Pharoah Eagle Owl (adult & two well grown chicks), 3 Mourning Wheatear (male, female & fledged young) & Lanner

8 June 2023
Tagdilt Tip - 10 Thick-billed Lark, 10 Temminck's Lark & 6 Red-rumped Wheatear
Travelling - 2 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Tabourahte - the above long-billed Crested Lark population (randonii?) & Rufous Bushchat

So 3.5 days birding - 5 ticks - Marsh, Maghreb & Pharoah Eagle Owls, Atlas Wheatear & Atlas Flycatcher amongst 131 species

This leaves me Andalusian Hemipode in Morocco & other targets in Western Sahara & Mauretania.

Pics will appear on my World Photo Yearlist thread in due course but I need to finish identifying a bunch of moths from last night's field moth trapping and my Ontario & Michigan pics first and I also have a short Majorca trip planned next week:-

Paul's 2023 Photographic World List

Well, let's see how long I can keep on top of this... :) 1. Northern Shoveler 2. Gadwall 3. Eurasian Wigeon 4. Mallard 5. Northern Pintail 6. Goosander 7. Pied Avocet 8. Grey Plover 9. Eurasian Curlew 10. Ruddy Turnstone 11. Dunlin 12. Common Snipe 13. Little Egret 14. Barn Owl 15. Merlin 16...

www.birdforum.net

No rest for the wicked. 😀

All the best

Paul

Good grief, you put my efforts to shame Paul.

Well done 👍

 

[Dutchbirder64]

I don't see any signs IOC relumping Maghreb Lark to Crested lark again. In 13.1 a species and in 13.2 no changes on that.

 

[Muppit17]

I don't see any signs IOC relumping Maghreb Lark to Crested lark again. In 13.1 a species and in 13.2 no changes on that.

Agreed - interesting that Clements did and IOC have not. Especially as they are supposed to be aligning. With recent research it appears that IOC are correct in their approach

 

[Muppit17]

Nick

It was a very short focused trip.

5 June 2023
Merja Zerga - 2 Marsh Owl (in addition to a few other bits)
Lac de Sidi Boughaba - Maghreb Owl found by day plus 10 Marbled Duck, 40 White-headed Duck & 40 Crested Coot

6 June 2023
Ifrane area - 5 Atlas Wheatear, 10 Atlas Flycatcher, 2 Moussier's Redstart & 3 Levaillant's Woodpecker plus 8 Eleonora's Falcons

7 June 2023
Travelling - 20 Atlas Wheatear & Lanner
Imiter- Pharoah Eagle Owl (adult & two well grown chicks), 3 Mourning Wheatear (male, female & fledged young) & Lanner

8 June 2023
Tagdilt Tip - 10 Thick-billed Lark, 10 Temminck's Lark & 6 Red-rumped Wheatear
Travelling - 2 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Tabourahte - the above long-billed Crested Lark population (randonii?) & Rufous Bushchat

So 3.5 days birding - 5 ticks - Marsh, Maghreb & Pharoah Eagle Owls, Atlas Wheatear & Atlas Flycatcher amongst 131 species

This leaves me Andalusian Hemipode in Morocco & other targets in Western Sahara & Mauretania.

Pics will appear on my World Photo Yearlist thread in due course but I need to finish identifying a bunch of moths from last night's field moth trapping and my Ontario & Michigan pics first and I also have a short Majorca trip planned next week:-

Paul's 2023 Photographic World List

Well, let's see how long I can keep on top of this... :) 1. Northern Shoveler 2. Gadwall 3. Eurasian Wigeon 4. Mallard 5. Northern Pintail 6. Goosander 7. Pied Avocet 8. Grey Plover 9. Eurasian Curlew 10. Ruddy Turnstone 11. Dunlin 12. Common Snipe 13. Little Egret 14. Barn Owl 15. Merlin 16...

www.birdforum.net

No rest for the wicked. 😀

All the best

Paul

I am surprised that you refer to Mourning Wheatear, Paul.

IOC (and the recent Collins ed 3) have it split as Maghreb Wheatear, even if Clements/eBird are yet to follow suit.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I am surprised that you refer to Mourning Wheatear, Paul.

IOC (and the recent Collins ed 3) have it split as Maghreb Wheatear, even if Clements/eBird are yet to follow suit.

Cheers. I hadn't really checked recently but have made a point of seeing Mourning, Basalt & Maghreb in the past.

All the best

Pauk