@naturevc12.bsky.social
The last morning in Morocco on Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us at Oued Souss estuary. High tide and cloud made viewing difficult. As always a good mix of waders and the flamingos were good value. A juv Barbary falcon was annoying the local Maghreb Magpies before fleeing.
November 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The last morning in Morocco on Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us at Oued Souss estuary. High tide and cloud made viewing difficult. As always a good mix of waders and the flamingos were good value. A juv Barbary falcon was annoying the local Maghreb Magpies before fleeing.
A day in Oued Massa on Morocco winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social & as always the area delivered on variety. Started with 78 Stone Curlew & moved on with Tchagra, Melodious Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, lots of waders. Fly throughs of Merlin & Barbary Falcon. A Red Necked Nightjar at roost etc etc
November 10, 2025 at 8:53 PM
A day in Oued Massa on Morocco winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social & as always the area delivered on variety. Started with 78 Stone Curlew & moved on with Tchagra, Melodious Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, lots of waders. Fly throughs of Merlin & Barbary Falcon. A Red Necked Nightjar at roost etc etc
Today was spent around Tamri on Morocco Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social. A mix of Herons inc 2 Squaccos, Great White & 'goat egret'. Plentiful Gulls with lots of Audouin's, many of them were ringed, & they were joined by Slender-billed and Mediterranean. Moussier's as usual!
November 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Today was spent around Tamri on Morocco Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social. A mix of Herons inc 2 Squaccos, Great White & 'goat egret'. Plentiful Gulls with lots of Audouin's, many of them were ringed, & they were joined by Slender-billed and Mediterranean. Moussier's as usual!
We left the desert and headed back north on Morocco - winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social. we stopped in the Souss-Massa NP for a blizzard of Bald Ibis at Iferiane & then North African Ostrich, Dorcas Gazelles and Addax at the reserve centre.
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
We left the desert and headed back north on Morocco - winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social. we stopped in the Souss-Massa NP for a blizzard of Bald Ibis at Iferiane & then North African Ostrich, Dorcas Gazelles and Addax at the reserve centre.
One of the most wanted species in Morocco on the @naturetrek.bsky.social tours is the Greater Hoopoe Lark. Before we left the desert we needed to see well - mission accomplished. We saw other species - Tristram's Warbler & lots of Moussiers Redstarts down to their winter areas plus a stunning Lanner
November 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
One of the most wanted species in Morocco on the @naturetrek.bsky.social tours is the Greater Hoopoe Lark. Before we left the desert we needed to see well - mission accomplished. We saw other species - Tristram's Warbler & lots of Moussiers Redstarts down to their winter areas plus a stunning Lanner
The 1st full day of Morocco Winter Sun birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us South of Guelmim areas around "Tan-tan 100". Plenty to kick off our desert species with Scrub-warbler, Wheatears inc Desert, Red-rumped, White-crowned & Larks inc Hoopoe, Bar-tailed, Temmincks, & Fulvous Babbler.
November 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The 1st full day of Morocco Winter Sun birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us South of Guelmim areas around "Tan-tan 100". Plenty to kick off our desert species with Scrub-warbler, Wheatears inc Desert, Red-rumped, White-crowned & Larks inc Hoopoe, Bar-tailed, Temmincks, & Fulvous Babbler.
The last full day in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social on the coast at Massa. Started with a field of 206 Stone Curlew & ended with 160+ Bald Ibis in a single flock. Am Golden Plover & Plain Swift were local rarities whilst Moussiers Redstarts are perennial crowd pleasers
September 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The last full day in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social on the coast at Massa. Started with a field of 206 Stone Curlew & ended with 160+ Bald Ibis in a single flock. Am Golden Plover & Plain Swift were local rarities whilst Moussiers Redstarts are perennial crowd pleasers
For a desert Birding trip we see lots of others in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social including dragonflies. Dropwings, Skimmers, Bluetails & Emperors (Vagrant & Lesser so far) despite the lack of water
September 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
For a desert Birding trip we see lots of others in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social including dragonflies. Dropwings, Skimmers, Bluetails & Emperors (Vagrant & Lesser so far) despite the lack of water
Day in the desert nr Erg Chebbi is the highlight of the Southern Morocco trip with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we connected with a long list of specials. Egyptian Nightjar, Hoopoe & Bar tailed Larks, Spotted & Crowned Sandgrouse, Fulvous Babbler, Desert Sparrow. We even had time for a few migrants
September 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Day in the desert nr Erg Chebbi is the highlight of the Southern Morocco trip with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we connected with a long list of specials. Egyptian Nightjar, Hoopoe & Bar tailed Larks, Spotted & Crowned Sandgrouse, Fulvous Babbler, Desert Sparrow. We even had time for a few migrants
Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we have spent the last couple of days heading east on the high arid steppe. A mix of Larks and Wheatears has been our primary focus The Pharaoh Eagle Owl showed well. Migrants inc Black Storks sharing a thermal with ST Eagles & a LL Buzzard
September 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we have spent the last couple of days heading east on the high arid steppe. A mix of Larks and Wheatears has been our primary focus The Pharaoh Eagle Owl showed well. Migrants inc Black Storks sharing a thermal with ST Eagles & a LL Buzzard
1st Day back in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & headed to the High Atlas. Levaillants Woodpecker & Atlas Wheatear good start to our specials list. Day Gecko kicked off the herps as well.
September 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
1st Day back in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & headed to the High Atlas. Levaillants Woodpecker & Atlas Wheatear good start to our specials list. Day Gecko kicked off the herps as well.
A family break near Dubrovnik. Great weather if tricky to find much in the heat. The dolphins offshore were not unexpected. The long snouted rock lizards are localised. 2tailed pasha plentiful but avoiding the camera. Southern White Admiral & Schmidt's Marbled Bush cricket on the dry hill sides
August 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
A family break near Dubrovnik. Great weather if tricky to find much in the heat. The dolphins offshore were not unexpected. The long snouted rock lizards are localised. 2tailed pasha plentiful but avoiding the camera. Southern White Admiral & Schmidt's Marbled Bush cricket on the dry hill sides
A visit to Burnt Common was predominantly for dragonflies - but only four individuals were found in the desiccated heathland. Fortunately, one was the sought after Black Darter, this being one of the very few sites left in North Hampshire. Common and Ruddy meant it was a three darter morning.
August 16, 2025 at 12:13 PM
A visit to Burnt Common was predominantly for dragonflies - but only four individuals were found in the desiccated heathland. Fortunately, one was the sought after Black Darter, this being one of the very few sites left in North Hampshire. Common and Ruddy meant it was a three darter morning.
A welcome return to Thursley NNR for dragonflies found plenty on the wing & a healthy number of Black Darters. The boardwalk was buzzing with activity & inc sunning lizards. The surrounding heaths were relatively quiet but alarming Dartfords suggested they had a good breeding season.
July 21, 2025 at 8:57 AM
A welcome return to Thursley NNR for dragonflies found plenty on the wing & a healthy number of Black Darters. The boardwalk was buzzing with activity & inc sunning lizards. The surrounding heaths were relatively quiet but alarming Dartfords suggested they had a good breeding season.
A day trip in the New Forest for Dragonflies with @naturetrek.bsky.social yielded 17 species inc the desired Southern Damselflies in good numbers. It has been a good year for dragonflies & numbers were high even if water levels were low. Good to see that Small Red-eyed Damsels have now colonised
July 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
A day trip in the New Forest for Dragonflies with @naturetrek.bsky.social yielded 17 species inc the desired Southern Damselflies in good numbers. It has been a good year for dragonflies & numbers were high even if water levels were low. Good to see that Small Red-eyed Damsels have now colonised
Our last full day and we headed up to Oukaimeden to escape the heat on High Atlas Butterflies with @naturetrek.bsky.social many on the wing with Atlas Blue & African Grayling making an appearance. The orchid display was as great as last week & plenty of Atlas Goldenrings
June 9, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Our last full day and we headed up to Oukaimeden to escape the heat on High Atlas Butterflies with @naturetrek.bsky.social many on the wing with Atlas Blue & African Grayling making an appearance. The orchid display was as great as last week & plenty of Atlas Goldenrings
With the weather heating up, we headed up to Tizi n'Test on the Moroccan Butterfly tour with @naturetrek.bsky.social Another great day in breathtaking scenery, Mountain Brown Argos, African Knapweed Fritillary, Large Grizzled Skipper & False Ilex Hairstreak took our combined total to 50 soecies
June 8, 2025 at 7:03 AM
With the weather heating up, we headed up to Tizi n'Test on the Moroccan Butterfly tour with @naturetrek.bsky.social Another great day in breathtaking scenery, Mountain Brown Argos, African Knapweed Fritillary, Large Grizzled Skipper & False Ilex Hairstreak took our combined total to 50 soecies
Although a Butterfly tour in the High Atlas with @naturetrek.bsky.social , we don't ignore the other special species here. Dragonflies have included Atlas Goldenrings, Orange-winged Dropwings, Barbary Featherlegs & Goblet-marked Damselflies. Plus another 6 species in this arid land.
June 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Although a Butterfly tour in the High Atlas with @naturetrek.bsky.social , we don't ignore the other special species here. Dragonflies have included Atlas Goldenrings, Orange-winged Dropwings, Barbary Featherlegs & Goblet-marked Damselflies. Plus another 6 species in this arid land.
In Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & nearly all of the Plain Tigers this year seem to have white hind wings whilst the 'normal' dark hindwings form seems to be in a minority I normally associate this form with West Africa - what is going on?
June 7, 2025 at 7:08 AM
In Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & nearly all of the Plain Tigers this year seem to have white hind wings whilst the 'normal' dark hindwings form seems to be in a minority I normally associate this form with West Africa - what is going on?
We headed to the Tizi n'Tamatert above Imlil with @naturetrek.bsky.social. Lots of butterflies Inc both Berberia Graylings, Moroccan Red underwing skipper & Spanish Marbled Whites. More Vaucher's all under wheeling Choughs in stunning scenery
June 6, 2025 at 7:36 AM
We headed to the Tizi n'Tamatert above Imlil with @naturetrek.bsky.social. Lots of butterflies Inc both Berberia Graylings, Moroccan Red underwing skipper & Spanish Marbled Whites. More Vaucher's all under wheeling Choughs in stunning scenery
We spent the day in Ourika valley on the High Atlas tour with @naturetrek.bsky.social. False Mallow Skipper, Rosy Grizzled Skipper joined familiar Plain Tigers & Holly Blues. Dragonflies included Large Pincertail, Atlas Goldenrings & this Orange-winged Dropwings all in stunning landscapes.
June 5, 2025 at 6:14 AM
We spent the day in Ourika valley on the High Atlas tour with @naturetrek.bsky.social. False Mallow Skipper, Rosy Grizzled Skipper joined familiar Plain Tigers & Holly Blues. Dragonflies included Large Pincertail, Atlas Goldenrings & this Orange-winged Dropwings all in stunning landscapes.
The first full day on Butterflies of the High Atlas with @naturetrek.bsky.social took us to the alpine zone at Oukaimeden. Endemic Vaucher's Heath & Dark Giant Grayling were targets. A profusion of Orchids & other flowers greeted us. Birds inc Crimson-winged Finch & Atlas Wheatear. A great start!
June 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The first full day on Butterflies of the High Atlas with @naturetrek.bsky.social took us to the alpine zone at Oukaimeden. Endemic Vaucher's Heath & Dark Giant Grayling were targets. A profusion of Orchids & other flowers greeted us. Birds inc Crimson-winged Finch & Atlas Wheatear. A great start!
The final couple of days in Uzbekistan with @naturetrek.bsky.social were in the Kyzylkum desert & had a wealth of scarce dragonflies. Turkestan Winter Damselflies, Bladetail, Syrian Clubtail and Sandy Darter joined the more widespread Black Pennant, Black Percher, Slender Skimmer & Lesser Emperor
May 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The final couple of days in Uzbekistan with @naturetrek.bsky.social were in the Kyzylkum desert & had a wealth of scarce dragonflies. Turkestan Winter Damselflies, Bladetail, Syrian Clubtail and Sandy Darter joined the more widespread Black Pennant, Black Percher, Slender Skimmer & Lesser Emperor
Into the red sand Kyzylkum desert in Uzbekistan with @naturetrek.bsky.social in search of the special creatures there. Great views of Turkestan Ground-Jay, Great Gerbil and Sacred Toad-headed Agama were the highlights in this amazing 'cold' desert
May 24, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Into the red sand Kyzylkum desert in Uzbekistan with @naturetrek.bsky.social in search of the special creatures there. Great views of Turkestan Ground-Jay, Great Gerbil and Sacred Toad-headed Agama were the highlights in this amazing 'cold' desert
The Uzbek tour with @naturetrek.bsky.social spent the day at the Takhta-karacha pass S of Samarkand today. We found lots of new species in great scenery. Turkestan Rock Agama, Gecko, Shrike and Goldenring were local specialities. Finch's & Pied Wheatears plus a wealth of butterflies
May 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The Uzbek tour with @naturetrek.bsky.social spent the day at the Takhta-karacha pass S of Samarkand today. We found lots of new species in great scenery. Turkestan Rock Agama, Gecko, Shrike and Goldenring were local specialities. Finch's & Pied Wheatears plus a wealth of butterflies