Penguins to Polar Bears: Morocco/Western Sahara - Day 4

31st March . . . The clocks changed in the uk, but not in Morocco!

Some using their phones as alarm clocks were rather rudely awoken at 5:00 am instead of 6! This would not have been a problem if the same had not occurred with our local guide Nico (an Italian whose phone was on manual?!) All very confusing, however as all the staff and the majority the group were up early and coffee had been packed for us, we decided to set off anyway - the final two team members having had a rather rude awakening!

Very early morning in the desert

It was 5:30 am, pitch black and we set of for our second nightjar attempt. Standing in the dark watching the stars gradually fade in the increasing sunlight brought us back to reality.

We listened for nightjar - nothing,

Wandered around - nothing,

Tried a more organised approach - nothing

Nightjar 2 -v- 0 Birders

We returned to the vehicles for coffee and then drove to another site. Here we did a walk through desert in an organised attempt to find birds and hopefully nightjar!

Birds yes, nightjar no!

We are now at Birds 3-v- 0 Birders

Back to the house, for brunch and to regroup.

Lunch was tomato and cheese wrap, black and green olives, flatbread, spreadable cheese and green bean frittata. Coffee was great as usual, and Sidi’s tea was sweet and strong.

Our every move being watched!

At 1.00 pm we went off to look for Pale Rock Martin which were seen yesterday around the post office building. Keeping our eyes away from all the military buildings we managed to get to the end of town without mishap. A lark flew up ahead of us and as we continued forward into empty land we drew the attention of the local police force.

After much explanation in french by Paul one of the policemen volunteered he spoke English! Apparently we had not been clocked in by our local guides, and were heading in the direction of an area not yet approved for wandering. Maybe I should add now that Western Sahara has had a lot of landmines laid in the past, and although our local team are very well versed in the safe and not so safe areas, it was not advice to take lightly. However, as the previous weeks group had explored the same area, we doubted this, but were not prepared to risk it!

Walking back through the village, via the shop for three bottles of POMS fizzy apple drink, we returned to the villa and were followed at a discrete distance by said policemen.

Within minutes discussions took place and everything was sorted out by our amazing crew - thanks Nico!

With a decision to go for a later night driver tonight with a more mammal focus we had a free afternoon to relax and catch up on sleep with dinner booked for 7:30 pm.

Dinner was an hour early (another victim of the phone clock syndrome!) but it was very welcome and once again delicious with chicken, rice, lentil soup, home made coleslaw and the ever-present olives. Apple, dried fruit and cinnamon desert with coffee and Moroccan biscuits completed our banquet.

Desert Hedgehog

Soon we were off for our evening/night drive. In contrast to last night the air relatively still and the sand was not blowing around. A small flock of desert sparrow were seen in a roadside tree as we flashed last. Just before sun-down we strolled around an area where nightjar had been seen by the road previously, nothing responded to our hopeful tape (4-0).

We did have a couple of Great Grey Shrike but the only other thing of real interest was a clump of ‘eggs’ attached to an acacia tree. This was on a branch about two metres from the ground and a yellow colour. On closer inspection of the photograph there are what appear to be compound eyes in one of the cells, but who knows? We couldn't see any more so the mystery continues.

As darkness fell we moved away from Aousserd to an area of better habitat, and once we had turned around spent the next 4 hours or so slowly driving along spotlighting.

Two Lesser Egyptian Jerboa were seen along the road, but the highlight of the night (and mammal highlight of the whole trip for me) was an interaction between a Ruppell’s Fox and African Wildcat! The Fox was barking and screaming at something, which initially looked like a second fox, but when it hunkered down it had the telltale stripes of a cat. Eventually the cat got fed of being taunted by the Fox and both disappeared, but an amazing encounter for us.

We got back to base around 1:30 am, and slept well.