Morocco is one of the classic Western Palearctic birding destinations.  It is a spectacular country with the snow-capped peaks in the Atlas mountains and rich forests in the Middle Atlas contrasting with the
rocky and sandy deserts of the northern Sahara and some excellent coastal wetlands. Morocco is home to a number of endemics restricted to NW Africa and this two-week trip will ensure that we have an excellent
chance of seeing most of them. The deserts are home to a typical selection of Saharan species, whilst Palearctic migrants should be passing through the country on their way north to breeding grounds in
Europe.

Morocco is relatively cheap and has plentiful, though sometimes basic accommodation.

Day 1

We shall arrive in Casablanca after a flight from London. Night in Casablanca.

Day 2

Today we shall visit some forests to near Rabat. Here we shall find common species such as Crested Lark, Fan-tailed Warbler and Sardinian Warbler. We will look for Barbary Partridge and Black-shouldered Kite. A
visit to Lac de Sidi-Bour-Harba should produce Crested Coot and Marbled Duck whilst, by waiting until dusk we shall have a good chance of seeing African Marsh Owl.

Day 3

We shall make an early start in order to search for the elusive Double-spurred Francolin in the Foret de Sidi Bettache. We shall then make our way to Ifrane to stopping en-route in some Cedar woodland in order to search for the localised Levaillant's Green Woodpecker, a species endemic to NW Africa. We may also see Short-toed Treecreeper in these woodlands. Night in Ifrane.

Day 4

Today we shall pass through a variety of mountainous scenery, pausing for any interesting birds. These may include Ruddy Shelduck, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Calandra Lark, Moussier's Redstart, Firecrest
and Spotless Starling. Eventually we shall reach the extensive plains that surround the town of Midelt. If we have time we may explore the plains and could find species such as Lesser Short-toed Lark and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Night in Midelt.

Day 5

An early start will find us on the plains surrounding Midelt. Here we shall search for the difficult to find Dupont's Lark. It sings from great height, but with persistence and luck we should find this species, which is restricted to just Spain and NW Africa. We shall then spend much of the day driving south towards the Sahara, hoping to find Tristram's Warbler, another NW African endemic en-route. We shall pause for any interesting birds which could include White-crowned Black Wheatear, Black Wheatear. Night in Erfoud.

Day 6

We shall drive south of Erfoud through a typical desrt landscape. We shall stop to look for Desert Wheatear, Trstram's Warbler, larks that should include Desert, Bar-tailed Desert and Hoopoe. We also have a good
chance of finding Desert Sparrow, Desert Warbler and Temminck's Horned Lark. We shall also explore the desert lake at Merzouga, where if there have been sufficient rains we should find a good variety of wetland
birds. Night in Erfoud.

Day 7

We shall spend the morning searching for any remaining target species, before heading westwards towards Boumalne du Dades. En-route we shall look for Fulvous Babbler and Bown-necked Raven, whilst we should have further chances of seeing desert specialities that may include Trumpeter Finch, White-crowned Black Wheatear and Lanner. We shall make a stop at the Gorge du Todra where Scrub Warbler will be a target. Night in Boulmalne du Dades.

Day 8

The Tagdilt track is a very well known area of desert where many desert specialities may be found. Our exploration of the area should produce some or maybe all of the following species; Barbary Falcon,
Cream-coloured Courser, Houbara Bustard, Pin-tailed, Crowned, Spotted Sandgrouse, Thick-billed and Temminck's Horned Lark, Desert and Red-rumped Wheatear. Night in Boulmalne du Dades.

Day 9

The morning will be spent searching for any remaining target birds on the Tagdilt track. We shall then drive westwards again to Ouarzazarte, pausing en-route to search for Mourning Wheatear. We will also keep a
sharp eye out for raptors such as Lanner Falcon, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard. Night in Ouarzazarte.

Day 10

We shall spend the whole day driving westwards from Ouarzazarte to the Atlantic coast at Agadir. We shall make stops for any interesting birds en-route. Night in Agadir.

Day 11

The day will be spent exploring the marshes of Oued Massa. This small estuary is home to a wide variety of wetland species. Our main target in the area will be the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis, a small
population of which retains a foothold in this area. Other species we may encounter here will include Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt, Southern Grey Shrike, Brown-throated Sand Martin,
House Bunting, Black-headed Bush Shrike. Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Stone Curlew also frequent the area. Night in Agadir.

Day 12

We shall head north, pausing to stop and seawatch at Cap Rhir to look for Cory's Shearwater, whilst the beaches should hold small numbers of wintering Audouin's Gulls. We shall also pause at Tamri in order to
search for Bald Ibis. As we continue onwards we shall head inland to Marrakech where we will find Little Swifts and we'll stay the night.

Day 13

We shall drive up to Oukaimeden where there will be snow-capped peaks and an alpine type habitat. Here we shall search for Alpine Chough, the NW African race of Wheatear, Black Redstart, Crimson-winged Finch, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting and Horned Lark.

Day 14

Transfer back to Casablanca for our flight back to the UK.

Email : chris.bradshaw@kentaccess.org.uk
KOS WWW site : http://www.kentaccess.org.uk/kos