Moroccan delights

Not much to report on the sea bird survey although the species list is steadily climbing with the addition of kittiwake, great skua and sandwich tern.  Although I have also had repeated distant views of shearwater sp. and storm petrel sp. they remain very elusive and as yet I have been unable to get a positive ID on any of them. We are surveying in an approximate west-east orientation and during the east-end work we are only about 5 miles offshore. This has provided some lovely views of the Moroccan coast and the beautiful snow-capped Atlas mountains- the first time I have seen snow on the African continent.

Agadir with snow-capped Atlas mountains beyond.

close pass to the shore south of Agadir- where desert meets sea!

Being so close to shore has allowed a number of uninvited guests to jump aboard, including a collection of bugs, beetles, grasshoppers and moths. 

hawk moth sp.

grasshopper or locust?

We also had a very nice view of a loggerhead turtle as it swam past the vessel.

Loggerhead turtle

kittiwake

Barbary falcon?

Bit of a treat yesterday morning when a medium-size falcon came flashing over the sea, circled the ship twice, then settled on a support beam under the heli-deck. The flight was powerful and dashing and initially when seen I thought peregrine although the bird seemed rather more refined. Anyway, a raptor expert I am not- especially concerning new African species!,but having shot off a few frames I think this bird could be a barbary falcon. I would be delighted if someone/anyone reading this post could advise me differently if that is the case. Aside from the ID challenge it was a delightful moment to see the bird on the ship. Having plucked and eaten its' breakfast, the bird flew off, was momentarily harried by 3 LBBG's and then flew NE towards the coast just north of Agadir.

Edit-footnote 28.02.2013- had a nice email from Hugh Insley (highland recorder) and LGR Evans (UK400) today, confirming this bird as a 1st year Barbary falcon. Many thanks gents!

Audouin's gulls

Just arrived on my survey vessel about 20 nm offshore Moroccco. I get occasionally views of the distant coastline through the heat haze and there is a steady succession of vessel traffic moving to and fro from the port of Agadir. 

Plenty of distant gulls to keep me occupied and the occasional close pass from a gannet or two. This morning I saw a line of 7 small shearwaters, although I could not get anything on them to even suggest an ID although I suspect balearic. Highlight so far has been great views of Audouin's gulls- the adults are particularly splendid as they fly above the ship. Hopefully I will get some better 'side-on' shots over the forthcoming days.