Monday, March 10, 2014

Some Wildlife Near Fes



Fes Tanneries
My first trip to Morocco this year was to the Fes area in the north of the country to visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the medinas of Fes and Meknes and the Roman site of Volubilis.

Meknes Medersa
Volubilis

As always though the wildlife got a look in. The highlight for me was around 10 Short-toed Eagles plus a few Booted Eagles and Marsh Harriers migrating north over our villa just south of Fes one lazy morning. Other migrants were fairly thin on the ground but it was nice to be among Swallows in early March and the vast numbers of Alpine Swifts around the towns were very impressive. The blue form of Moroccan Rock Lizard was also entertaining at Volubilis. Also there Moroccan Hairstreak was a first for me.

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus

Crested Lark Galerida cristata

Little Owl Athene noctua

Moroccan Rock Lizard Teira perspicillata

Moroccan Hairstreak Tomares mauretanicus

Acrida ungarica, nymph (presumed ID)

Sickle-bearing Bush-cricket Phaneroptera falcata

Dock Bug sp. Coreus sp.

Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta

Photos Canon Powershot SX50 HS