21 Feb 2019: Ifrane

Ifrane, in the western Middle Atlas, has rightfully been called the “Little Switzerland of Morocco”. This beautiful, Alpine-like town is surrounded by cedar woods, lakes (called dayets) and stony plateaux. My hotel, the Gite du Barage at Ben Smine, some 17km to the southwest of Ifrane, was found to be under construction, but Mohammed soon found alternative accommodation nearby. We again missed our already paid breakfast – Moroccan hoteliers hate to stand up early and have many innovative excuses.

Ifrane, Morocco

We walked around Dayet Aoua and soon found some Cirl Buntings, Meadow Pipits, a Eurasian Nuthatch and four Short-toed Treecreepers on the fringes of the lake. I had some good sightings of the Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, a large woodpecker that blends in easily into the green foliage of the surrounding cedar woods. At a nearby farm above the lake a pair of Hawfinches were ticked.

Meadow Pipit, Ifrane, Morocco

The afternoon was spent driving 14 km up a seriously potholed path, through snow and ice, to Aguelmam Afenourir, a high, alpine mountain lake. The trip was well-worth the effort, as a Wood Lark and some Barbary Macaque Monkeys were found along the path. The lake was filled with Northern Shovelers, Pochards, Ferruginous Ducks, Ruddy Shelducks and Black-necked Grebes.

Eurasian Nuthatch, Ifrane, Morocco