Ok - Dutch Birding

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