It was always going to be a doddle as i only had one hotel to see so decided to take Jen with me and make the most of it.
Our hotel was the very luxurious Royal Palm.
An unearthly 6am flight with Ryanair meant we were at the hotel by 10.30.
They kindly had out suite ready and it was great to get there with the whole day ahead.
Opening our balcony doors and immediately surprised at how lush the grounds were and the adjacent golf course.
I had brought my camera but only stuck my binos in at the last minute as i had not expected to see many birds.
Initial glance off the balcony gave loads of Starlings, House Sparrows, Collared Dove, Swallow, House Martins and Common Bulbul (photo) so already had a thought that I may have underestimated the bird life.
Still, I had to get to work for a few hours which I preferred so I could have the rest of the few days to ourselves. I left Jen to unpack.
Two hours later and the 3am start was catching up with us so we just lazed by the pool for a couple of hours.
Back in the room and I decided to get the binos out and have a coffee on the balcony.
Same birds as before but a few additions.
First was a solitary Great Tit and funnily this was the only time I saw this!
In the distant palms I caught sight of a bird and found a Turtle Dove. Long way off so record shot below only.
More Common Bulbul were eating the dates and a quick glance gave Spotted Flycatcher which had been on a very near tree without me noticing until I turned and scared it off not to be seen again!
The golf course had a large number of Egret which I saw over the course of my visit - Little, Great and Cattle. In addition, Yellow Wagtail and solitary but quick Richards Pipit - great bird but too far off for a photo.
I had just sat down on the chair on the balcony to chat to Jen when she nudged me to say there was a pretty sparrow type bird only a few feet behind me.
Although, as I turned, it flew, patience was rewarded when it flew back to the ledge. Lifer for me in House Bunting.
Over the next few days they were seen regularly but I was well chuffed!
Final bird of the day was a Stonechat which used the Olive Trees as perches for most of my trip.
I decided to get up early next morning and have an hour around the grounds and golf course before breakfast. Great plan except that it did not get really light enough until 7.45 by which time we were getting ready for breakfast.
Our days alternated between catching the free shuttle into Marrakech and chilling out on resort.
However, I had an hour late afternoon for the next 3 days and managed to add some super birds to my list.
The dead olive trees acted as perfect perches for both Spotted Flycatcher and Woodchat Shrike and both were seen regularly.
Higher in the trees, Great Grey Shrike was also seen daily.
However, the last afternoon when just relaxing on the balcony, I noticed a bird fly across and land just out of vision. I thought it was a Wryneck but could not be sure. Quickly putting on sandals, I made my way to the dead olives just to the left of our room. Low and behold, instinct was right and for just a minute I had great views.
Returning to the balcony, I had been there no more than a few seconds when a Little Owl landed close by and stayed long enough for photos and to show Jen. As a non birder even she was enthusiastic!
Other raptors were limited to Kestrel and a fleeting Peregrine.
Warblers were the biggest bugbear - as they often are!
The scrubby busges between hotel and golf course were alive with them. I managed to identify Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Cettis Warbler and , what I think is my first, Melodious Warbler - photo does not help and only one I got of any warbler in these bushes! I am certain there were others!!!
However, my other definite lifer appeared twice. First time was a quick fly past and the bird dived in bushes never to be seen again! Striking though as it had a black head (not just cap) and white underparts. I thought Sardinian Warbler
Thankfully, a day later it flew very briefly into a tree and just had enough time to get an out of focus record shot. Orphean Warbler (Western I think) and my final lifer of the trip
Overall, a total of 54 species and a great trip for a non birding location!
