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mededelinge n<br />
14 Marsh Owl Asio capensis, Moulay Bouselham, Morocco, December 1987 (Arnoud B van<br />
den Berg)<br />
Every day in December and January, 9 to 20 Marsh Owls Asio capensis were<br />
found roosting together in trees at the shore of Merja Zerga in Moulay<br />
Bouselham . When disturbed and flushed, the birds returned to their trees as<br />
soon as possible. Interestingly, Cramp (1985) does not mention roosting in<br />
trees for this species, which is known as one of the least arboreal of owls .<br />
On 5 January, 2 km south of Akhfennir, Tarfaya, AvdB observed a Plain Swift<br />
Apus unicolar flying above the coast and disappearing over land in northeastern<br />
direction . The bird was recognized by its rather small size and compact<br />
structure, short wings and tail, lack of any white in ail-blackish plumage, and<br />
fast wing-beats . This was only the sixth record of this species for Morocco (MT<br />
in litt), although Morocco has often been considered as the country this Canary<br />
Islands' species leaves for during part of the year (cf Fitter et al 1972) .<br />
From 29 to 31 January, in a small, 2 .5 km long marsh area at the barrage of<br />
Oued Loukkos east of Larache, along a black-topped road on 4 .3 to 6 .6 km from<br />
the bridge of the coastal P2 road to Tanger, 45 Squacco Herons Ardeola<br />
ralloides, 138 Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca, 143 Purple Gallinbles Porphyrio<br />
porphyrio, three singing Moustached Warblers Acrocephalus rnelanopogon<br />
and two adult and two immature Penduline Tits Remiz pendulirrus were<br />
found . In this area, Moustached Warbler is known as a breeding bird and<br />
winter migrant since 1972 (Thévenot & Thouy 1974), and several Moroccan<br />
records of Penduline Tits were reported since 1976 (Thouy 1978).<br />
Other unusual records of birds not seen every winter included two Booted<br />
Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus, which were photographed on 7 January 3 km<br />
south of Goulimime along the road to Tan Tan ; a Marsh Sandpiper Tring a<br />
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