Morocco - Winter Sun Birding

Summary

Morocco is North Africa’s most biodiverse country and offers a vital winter refuge for an impressive array of birdlife. This two-centre tour takes us from the edge of the Sahara Desert to the Atlantic coast and the nearby foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Travelling during the cooler winter season, we explore a fascinating range of habitats in search of both resident and wintering birds, while enjoying a welcome dose of winter sunshine.

We begin in Guelmim, south of Agadir, where we search the arid plains and low hills for sought-after desert specialists such as Greater Hoopoe Lark, Desert Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch, Thick-billed Lark, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Fulvous Babbler and sandgrouse. These wild, open landscapes also offer chances to encounter Dorcas Gazelle, Fennec Fox and the elusive North African Sengi. We then transfer north to Agadir via the Parc Animalier, where we may spot Double-spurred Francolin and African Ground Squirrel in the surrounding Argan forests, along with other notable mammals such as Dorcas Gazelle and Addax. From our coastal base, we explore the renowned Souss-Massa National Park, a vital stronghold for the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis – one of the world’s rarest birds. Flocks can often be seen foraging along the coastal plains near Tamri or in the river valleys around Massa, which are also home to Bonelli’s Eagle, Black-winged Kite and Marbled Duck. Plain Martin and Black-crowned Tchagra add further North African interest, while Barbary Partridge, the endemic Moussier’s Redstart and wintering Bluethroat are among many additional highlights. We’ll also visit the estuary at Oued Souss, where we time our visit to coincide with peak activity among waders, gulls, herons and wildfowl. A day in the woodlands of the nearby Atlas foothills offers the chance to see Levaillant’s Woodpecker and African Blue Tit, while the surrounding scrubland may yield sightings of Tristram’s Warbler.

With its superb range of habitats and a rich supporting cast of birds and mammals, this tour offers a rewarding and memorable winter break in sunny southern Morocco.

• Outstanding birding in the sunshine during the depths of British wintertime 
• Scarce desert specialities such as Streaked Scrub Warbler, Bar-tailed Lark, African Desert Warbler & Greater Hoopoe-lark
• A visit to Parc Animalier, the re-introduction site of Dorcas Gazelle, Addax and Ostrich
• Visiting a range of coastal sites where hundreds of overwintering shorebirds can be found
• Local specialities such as Black-crowned Tchagra and Plain Martin likely
• Led by an expert Naturetrek guide