Western Sahara Birding

Western Sahara Birding: birdwatching tours explore a lesser-known territory under Moroccan administration. This area boasts unique species like the Golden Nightjar, West African Crested Tern, African Dunn’s Lark, Cricket Warbler, and Desert Sparrow. Noteworthy mammals include the Fennec and Rüppell’s foxes, the Saharan Striped Polecat, and the Sand Cat.

The Appeal of Dakhla’s Wildlife

In recent years, the remote Dakhla region in southernmost Morocco has gained renown. It is situated at the southern edge of the ‘Western Palearctic’ faunal region and is part of annexed Western Sahara. It has become a hotspot for observing distinctive birds and mammals. Sahara birding tours offer an unparalleled frontier birding experience.

Bird species in Dakhla

An impressive array of bird species calls Dakhla home, including the Lanner Falcon, Cream-colored Courser, Crowned Sandgrouse, and Pharaoh (or Desert) Eagle-Owl. Other notable sightings include the Thick-billed, Greater Hoopoe, and various larks such as Temminck’s, Thekla, Desert, and Bar-tailed Larks. Also present are the Pale Crag Martin, Black, White-crowned, Red-rumped, and Desert Wheatears, along with the African Desert Warbler, Saharan Scrub Warbler, Fulvous Babbler, Brown-necked Raven, and Trumpeter Finch.

Waterbirds are abundant.

Dakhla Bay teems with waterbirds, among them Greater Flamingoes, numerous Caspian Terns, and Audouin’s Gulls in significant numbers. Birdwatchers also have good opportunities to spot the Western Reef heron and kelp gull in this coastal habitat.

Migratory Birds of Western Sahara

During migration season, Western Sahara becomes a thoroughfare for various bird species. Look out for the Short-toed Snake and Booted Eagles, Western Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers, as well as European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. Additionally, sightings may include Western Bonelli’s, Western Subalpine, and Western Orphean Warblers.

These changes enhance readability and structure, making the information more accessible and engaging for readers interested in birdwatching in Dakhla and Western Sahara.

Rare Avian Visitors in Western Sahara

Over the years, Western Sahara has welcomed a fascinating array of vagrant birds within the Western Palearctic, such as Reed Cormorant, Lesser Flamingo, Lesser Scaup, Rüppell’s and White-backed Vultures, African Crake, Allen’s Gallinule, Grey-headed Gull, and Lesser Crested Tern. These sightings are true rarities, and birding enthusiasts can hope for such surprises during a Western Sahara birding tour.

Extraordinary wildlife encounters

Western Sahara is renowned not only for its rare avian visitors, but also for its exceptional diversity of deep desert mammals. The charming Fennec Fox is relatively common to spot, with excellent chances to encounter the elusive Sand Cat for those persistent enough. Other mammals frequently observed in this region include Rüppell’s Fox, African Golden Wolf, Wild Cat, African Savanna Hare, Lesser Egyptian Jerboa, Pygmy and Lesser Egyptian Gerbils, Desert Hedgehog, and with luck, the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin.

Exploring the Safi Reserve

Time permitting, we’ll venture to the Safia reserve south of Dakhla, spanning approximately 15 square kilometers. Here, re-introduced Addaxes, Dama Gazelles, and Common Ostriches thrive within a protected enclosure.

Clarification on Wildlife

Contrary to some reports, Scimitar-horned Oryx are not present here, possibly confused with Addax. Unfortunately, hunting pressures outside the reserve remain high.

Wildlife Encounters

There’s a decent chance to spot Dorcas Gazelle nearby, with a slim possibility of encountering Houbara Bustard.

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