Brown-throated/ Plain Martins and Little Swifts

This morning, I joined PhD student Mohammed Hilmi on a data gathering mission approximately 50 miles inland from Rabat.  We paused for a short while at Khemisset to look at Little Swifts of which we managed to see over 30.  They have very interesting nests on balconies and inside unfinished constructions but face nest destruction by some property owners and are in decline.

We continued to the Plain Martin (Riparia paludicola) nest sites 5 miles East of Khemisset where we counted around 50 individuals in total.  They flew in crazy patterns around us, a much reduced colony since a new dam was built up river.  Mohammed Hilmi is one of the few heroes of conservation carrying out important, unsung, work, encouraging locals to be kinder with these rare birds whilst at the same time collecting data for his doctorate.


Also seen today, Moussier's Redstart, Laughing Dove, Hoopoe, Black-winged Kite and Long-legged Buzzard.



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