Morocco – Desert and Mountains
Join us for wonderful birding in this magical counrty!
eight day tour, Saturday 12th - Saturday 19th March 2011
Day 1
Arrive Marrakesh pm
Evening in Marrakesh
Day 2
Drive to the Atlas Mountains birding the foothills on the way to Oukaimeden. Possible birds include Laughing Dove, House Bunting, Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Common Bulbul, Spotless Starling, Bee Eater, Hoopoe, White Stork, Black Kite.
On arrival, we bird the mountain areas searching for Crimson-winged Finch, Horned Lark, Alpine Chough, Ring Ouzel, African Blue Tit, Rock Thrush, Firecrest, Common Crossbill, Booted and Short Toed Eagle, Levaillant’s Woodpecker, africana race of Chaffinch, Crag Martin, Moussier’s Redstart, Bonelli’s Eagle, Barbary Partridge, Tristram’s Warbler and White-breasted Dipper.
Overnight in Oukaimeden
Day 3
Birding Oukaimeden
We bird the mountains mopping any species we missed yesterday afternoon before driving to Boumalne. In the afternoon we bird the Tagdilt track looking for Red-rumped, Desert, Seebohm’s, Black and White-crowned Black Wheatear, Moussier’s Redstart, Tristram’s Warbler, Desert, Hoopoe, Bar-tailed, Temminck’s, Horned, Thekla, Greater and Lesser Short Toed Larks, Cream-coloured Courser, mauretanica Magpie, Lanner Falcon, chance of sandgrouse species.
Stay near Tagdilt
Day 4
Return to Tagdilt track in the early morning to mop up any missing species before breakfast. Long drive to the impressive dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Overnight nearby
Day 5
Birding the dunes at Erg Chebbi, looking for Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, sandgrouse, wheatears, Ruddy Shelduck, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Egyptian Nightjar, Rufous Bushchat, Spectacled Warbler, Pharoah Eagle Owl, Brown-necked Raven, Southern Grey Shrike, chance of Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, many migrants.
Overnight nearby
Day 6
Birding the Draa Valley in an area of ancient open Argana woodland. Watch out for tree-climbing goats! Chance of Red-necked and Egyptian Nightjars, Black-shouldered Kite.
Overnight near Ouarzazate
Day 7
Drive to Souss-Massa National Park
Northern Bald Ibis, African House Bunting, Black-headed Bushshrike, Moussier’s Redstart, Marbled Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Moustached Warbler, Plain Martin, Barbary Falcon, Little Crake, Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Audouin’s Gull.
Overnight nearby
Day 8
Continue birding the Souss-Massa National Park before heading back to Marrakech in the evening where our tour concludes.
Expect to see over 150 species on this tour.
Prices
Inclusive of all guiding, transport, meals and accommodation. Standard terms and conditions apply.
Approximate price per person:
Based on 6 persons, excluding flights: £895.00
Please email info@thebiggesttwitch.com for the latest details