Morocco ........31st March to 10th April 2011

High Atlas to Sahara

Morocco is the top birdwatching destination in North Africa, with a superbly diverse avifauna and spectacular scenery, ranging from the alpine peaks of the High Atlas, deserts on the very edge of the Sahara and the estuaries of the Oued Souss & Oued Massa. Springtime is one of the most exciting birdwatching periods, featuring the continued northward passage of European migrants alongside a truly exotic array of breeding residents, including Lanner, Cream-coloured Courser, Black-crowned Tchagra, Tristram's Warbler, Desert Sparrow and the spectacular Moussier's Redstart. Wheatear enthusiasts will be richly rewarded with a possible eight species and there is the expectation of seeing one of the world’s rarest birds, the bizarre-looking Northern Bald Ibis. Separated by only a few miles of sea from south-west Spain, Morocco also offers a wildly different cultural experience mixed with comfortable hotels and an enticingly warm, dry climate.

Day 1: We catch a morning flight from the UK to Marrakech and then drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the ski resort of Oukaïmeden birding en route. On the twisting climb to our destination Barbary Partridge, Levaillant's Green Woodpecker and the gorgeous Moussier's Redstart are all possibilities while the raptors include Long-legged Buzzard.
Overnight - Oukaïmeden


Day 2: Today will be spent in and around Oukaïmeden. Red-billed and Alpine Choughs patrol the hillsides while Horned Larks feed inconspicuously in the meadows, the summer home of Seebohm's Wheatear, the distinctive form of Northern Wheatear that most authorities now regard as a species in its own right. Black Redstart, Black Wheatear and Rock Sparrow inhabit the rocky outcrops and we shall search for the scarce and extremely local African Crimson-winged Finch. Few Lammergeiers remain in Morocco but it is here that they are most regularly recorded.
Overnight - Oukaïmeden


Day 3: The drive to Ouarzazate takes us over the High Atlas via the pass of Tizi-n-Tichka. Essentially a travel day, there will be numerous stops to admire the spectacular scenery and look for some of the higher elevation species – more typically, Black Wheatear and Rock Bunting but even Common Crossbill occur. In the desert areas near Ouarzazate we will look out for Mourning Wheatear, Desert Lark and Trumpeter Finch.
Overnight - Ouarzazate.

Day 4: From Ouarzazate we travel to Boumalne Dadès where, in the afternoon, we shall visit the famous Tagdilt Track. Larks and wheatears abound and include enviable specialities like Thick-billed, Greater Hoopoe and Temminck’s Larks, Red-rumped and Desert Wheatears along with Trumpeter Finches and Cream-coloured Coursers. Sandgrouse and Lanner Falcon occur but are not always straightforward to find.
Overnight - Boumalne Dadès .

Days 5 & 6: Reaching the true desert, the spectacular edge of the Sahara with the huge sand dunes of Erg Chebbi – the largest in Morocco - provide a wonderful backdrop to some superb birdwatching, which brings a new set of species. Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, Tristram’s & Desert Warbler and Bar-tailed Lark are all in the area while the chance of seeking out a Pharoah Eagle Owl is a tantalizing prospect. At times our eyes will need to focus skyward, where we may witness raptors and storks rising on the thermals.
Overnights - Merzouga.

Day 7: Morning birding around our desert hotel before returning to Boumalne Dadès and a late afternoon visit to the Tagdilt Track, will give us the opportunity to catch up on species previously missed or once again to observe such wonderful birds as: Cream-coloured Courser, Thick-billed & Temminck’s Larks, Red-rumped Wheatear and Black-bellied Sandgrouse.
Overnight - Boumalne Dadès.

Day 8: After an early morning visit to Tagdilt Track we will drive to Taroudant.
Overnight - Taroudant.

Days 9 & 10: On Day 9 we will drive to Agadir via Tamri in order to track down Northern Bald Ibis. In the afternoon a visit to the Oued Souss should reveal a wealth of birdlife. On Day 10 we will visit the Oeud Massa where we expect to see Marbled Duck, Little Bittern, Squacco and Purple Herons, Glossy Ibis, Alpine Swift, Black-crowned Tchagra, migrant waders and passerines.
Overnights - Agadir.

Day 11: We drive to Marrakech for our return flight to UK.


Tour Ref: AA1121

Cost: £1,975
Deposit: £300
Single Room Supplement: £190

Leaders: Ray Tipper & Neil Glenn

Max. Group: 14 plus Leaders

Includes:
Return flights (UK-Marrakech-UK), en-suite accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transportation in Morocco, entrance fees and services of leaders.

Excludes:
Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.