17 Feb 2019: The Tagdilt Track

Temminck's Lark, Tagdilt Track, Morocco

We left the deep Sahara with the sand storm still blowing and made our way westwards towards the Central High Atlas where most of the Moroccan desert birds can also be found. The birding area for the day was the Tagdilt Track which crosses the vast desert plain to the southeast of Boumalne du Dadès.

Maghreb Wheatear, Boumalne, Morocco

The birds of these rocky plains are quite secretive and well adapted to the habitat, so birding entailed hours of walking in the freezing desert, listening for calls and scanning for the slightest hint of movement. When something was seen the modus operandi became something of a farce: hands out of pockets – wipe running nose- bins to the eyes – clear wind tears from eyes – focus and ID – wipe running nose – get camera working with freezing hands – blow running nose… In this manner we managed to find some great desert birds, with the Maghreb Wheatear, Red-rumped Wheatear, Temminck's-, Thekla- and Thick-billed Larks newly added to the list. Some Fulvous Babblers were found near to the town of Boumalne.

Red-rumped Wheatear, Tagdilt Track, Moroccco