Birding Trip to Tunisia

Borg John J. Stettmer Christian Sultana Joe Birding Trip to Tunisia 04-06 February 2008

Birding Trip to Tunisia 04 06 February 2008 Borg John J., Stettmer Christian, Sultana Joe. On the last minute it was decided to go for a short break to Tunisia. Two of us (JS and JJB) had visited the country several times before but for CS it was the first time. We left Malta International Airport on an Air Malta flight to Carthage International Airport (Tunis) at 21.00 and arrived at 21.45h. We hired a car from one of the many agencies in the airport; an almost brand new Renault Clio salon. Apart from the heavy smell of cigarettes, the car was great with ample space for luggage and comfort. Leaving the airport we headed into Tunis in search of our pre-booked hotel close to Habib Bourghiba Avenue. Hotel Maison d Orée in Rue D Hollande was relatively cheap, clean and well centered in the heart of Tunis but very difficult to find. Day 1 Breakfast consisted of coffee, tea and croissants. We left Tunis for Hammamet via Zaghouan to visit two wetlands situated close to each other Barrgae Oued Rmal and Barrage Sidi Jedidi. On the way we passed close by the Roman Aqueducts. Spotless Starlings and a Common Kestrel were present on the walls of the remains. Crested Larks, Corn Buntings and Great Grey Shrikes were present all along the route. At Barrage Sidi Jedidi Barrage Oued Rmal the most common birds were Common Coots, and small numbers of Pochards and Little Grebes. Arriving at Hammamet at 15.45 we checked in at Residence Le Corail an Apart-hotel at Yasmine Hammamet. We then went to Barrage Sidi Jedidi a small dam holding some 30 White-headed Ducks, Pochards, Shovelers, Tufted ducks and other wildfowl. At 20.00 we called it a day. Day 2 After having breakfast we left Hammamet in the direction of Sousse on the way to Kairouan. Several larks along the way including Calandra, Skylark and Crested Larks. Along the road at about 15 km from Hammamet we saw about 140 Common Cranes coming in from the coast in small flocks and landing in the fields and open plains to feed. We continued south and stopped at El Djem to visit the Roman Coliseum and not so close-by museum of archaeology, a small but well designed museum highlighting mosaic floors. Arriving at Kairouan we booked in Hotel Sabra for the night and went out again towards Sebkha Kelbia. Crested and Sky Larks and were the most common birds. As it was getting late in the afternoon we decided to head back towards Kairouan. Along the way close to the city, we saw flocks of Cattle Egrets coming down to roost in a small Eucalyptus grove situated by the road.

Day 3 Birdwatching along the road from Kairouan towards Ousserat with the usual larks and Great Grey Shrikes. We then decided to drive north to Djebel and Lac Ichkeul. A long drive but with plenty of bird watching opportunities along the way. Stopped by a small dam at Magra with very few birds, and then continued towards El Fahs where we saw our only Lanner Falcon. Along the road to Tebourba we saw two Black-shouldered Kites. At 14.20 we arrived at Djebel Ichkeul were hundreds of waterfowl were present. At 16.30 we left Ichkeul towards Tunis were we stayed again at the Hotel Maison d Orée for the night. The following morning we headed towards the airport for out return flight to Malta. Roman Coliseum at El Djem

Birds seen: Day 1: 04 th February 2008 Tunis 06.45 Blackbird 2, Common Starling 5. Tunis Zaghouan 08.00 09.41 Cattle Egret 1, Common Kestrel 1, Crested Lark 5, White Wagtail 4, Common Stonechat 2, Sardinian Warbler 4, Southern Grey Shrike 2, Spotless Starling 30+ (near Roman Aqueduct), Common Starling 20+, Corn Bunting 4 singing. Zaghouan Hammamet 09.45 11.00 Great Egret 1, Skylark 60+, Meadow Pipit 15+, Robin 10+, Moussier s Redstart 2 pairs, Zitting Cisticola 4+, Southern Grey Shrike c15, Raven 1, Chaffinch 20+, Serin 30+, Linnet c20, Corn Bunting 5+. Barrage Oued Rmal 11.00-13.15 Little Grebe 20+, Common Teal 1, Common Pochard c15, Northern Pintail 2, Longlegged Buzzard 4, Marsh Harrier 4, Common Coot 600+, Common Crane 1, Northern Lapwing 40+, Kentish Plover 2, Wood Sandpiper 1, Laughing Dove 1, Common Kingfisher 1, Skylark 30+, Crested Lark 50+, Meadow Pipit 20+, Moussier s Redstart 3 pairs, Robin 5+, Common Stonechat 20+, Blackbird 4, Cetti s Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Sardinian Warbler 3+, Common Chiffchaff 2, Common Starling 100+, Greenfinch c10, Goldfinch c15, Linnet c20. Hammamet 13.15 Black Redstart 1 Barrage Sidi Jedidi 15.45 17.15 Black-necked Grebe 5, Cattle Egret 1, Northern Shoveler 15+, Common Pochard 20+, White-headed Duck 28, Tufted Duck 4, Gadwall 1+, Ferruginous Duck 6+, Eurasian Wigeon 3+, Mallard 15+, Common Coot 40+, Purple Swamp-hen 1, Moorhen 4, Barbary Partridge 2, Robin 4, Common Stonechat 3, Black Wheatear 2, Common Blackbird 2, Sardinian Warbler 5+, Southern Grey Shrike 2. Barrage Sidi Jedidi Yasmine Hammamet 17.15 17.45 Hoopoe 1, Blackbird 2. Yasmine Hammamet Hotel Grounds 17.50 Garden Bulbul 6+ disturbed from roost tree (palm)

Day 2: 05 th February 2008 Hammamet Sousse 07.00 09.00 Grey Heron 1, White Stork 13 (15 nests counted on electricity pylons some already occupied), Common Crane 130+ in small flocks, Laughing Dove 25+, Skylark 50+, Calandra Lark 15+, Crested Lark 100+, White Wagtail 4, Yellow Wagtail 1, Robin 5+, Common Stonechat 10+, Common Blackbird 3, Southern Grey Shrike 7, Woodchat Shrike 1, Common Starlings (2 large flocks containing hundreds of birds), Spotless Starling 20+, Corn Bunting 11 (males singing). Sousse El Djem 09.15-11.00 Laughing Dove 12+, Hoopoe 2, Crested Lark 15+, Southern Grey Shrike 4. El Djem Coliseum and Town 11.00-12.00 Common Kestrel 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Collared Dove 1, Robin 3, Sardinian Warbler 4+, Serin 20+ (in courtship display). El Djem Kairouan 12.00 15.30 Common Crane 10, Hoopoe 1, Crested Lark 20+, White Wagtail 2, Fulvous Babbler 8+, Southern Grey Shrike 7+, Chaffinch 5+, Goldfinch 4, Serin 8+, Corn Bunting 2. Sebkhet Kelbia (Kairouan) 16.00 18.00 Grey Heron 2, White Stork 4, Common Kestrel 1, Northern Lapwing 5+, Common Greenshank 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Hoopoe 1, Crested Lark 30+, Meadow Pipit 10+, Common Stonechat 5+, Moussier s Redstart 4, Sylvia Warbler 1 (most pb Spectacled Warbler), Common Chiffchaff 2, Southern Grey Shrike 2, Common Starling 80+, Tree Sparrow 1, Serin 20+, Goldfinch 10+, Greenfinch 5, Corn Bunting 4. Kairouan (in Eucalyptus grove outside city) 18.30 Cattle Egret 150+ roosting in trees along the road. Long-legged Buzzard

Day 3: 06 th February 2008 Kairouan Ousserat 07.50 09.45 Cattle Egret (birds still in roost at 08.10 where birds started taking off in small flocks), Marsh Harrier 2, Barbary Partridge 2, Little Owl 2, Skylark 50+, Crested Lark 75+, Robin 15+, Moussier s Redstart 2, Black Wheatear 1, Song Thrush 6, Common Blackbird 1, Common Stonechat 20+, Southern Grey Shrike 8+, Spotless Starling 12+, Common Starling present all along, Linnet 10+, Chaffinch 15+, Serin 5+, Corn Bunting 15+. Barrage near Magra 09.50 Great Cormorant 1 juv, Common Coot c10, Wader sp 6+, Garden Bulbul 1+, Common Stonechat 4, Corn Bunting 2. Magra El Fahs 10.30 13.00 Lanner Falcon 1, Moussier s Redstart 6, Common Blackbird 1, Song Thrush 40+, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Linnet 5+, Chaffinch 30+, Serin 40+. 14Km outside Tebourba 13.30 Black-shouldered Kite 1. 24km past Tebourba on the road to Tindje Black-shouldered Kite 1, Common Kestrel 1, Northern Lapwing 30 (flock), Sardinian Warbler 2. Djebel Lac Ichkeul 14.20 16.30 Great Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 40+, Great Egret 1, Little Egret c10, Greater Flamingo 500+ (in two large flocks), Spoonbill 50+, Great Cormorant 80+, Grey-lag Goose 25+, Common Shelduck 100+, Eurasian Wigeon 50+, Common Teal 60+, Mallard 30+, Common Coot 200+, Osprey 1, Common Buzzard 1, Long-legged Buzzard 1, Marsh Harrier 3, Lapwing 50+, Pied Avocet 80+, Kentish Plover 15+, Marsh Sandpiper 1+, Little Stint 100+, Dunlin 30+, Common Redshank 4+, Common Snipe 12+, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Yellow-legged Gull 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Black-headed Gull 50+, Crested Lark 30+, Crag Martin 5+, House Martin c10, Robin 20+, Common Stonechat 10+, Common Blackbird 2, Black Redstart 2, Cetti s Warbler 1, Blackcap 30+, Common Chiffchaff 25+, Southern Grey Shrike 2, Corn Bunting 4. NB. Waterfowl numbers given are minimal as several hundreds were resting/feeding on the opposite shore, too far away for identification. Outside Sidi Othman 17.30 Black-shouldered Kite one bird hunting, Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Systematic List Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 20+ at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1 at Lac Ichkeul on 6 th. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 5 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 40+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1 juv at Barrage near Magra on 06 th, 80+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 1 outside Zaghouan on 04 th, 1 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 150+ roosting outside Kairouan on 05 th. Little Egret Egretta garzetta C10 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Great Egret Casmerodius albus Single bird along road from Zaghouan to Hammamet on 04 th, 1 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Cattle Egret roost at Kairouan Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 outside Hammamet on 05 th, 2 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. White Stork Ciconia ciconia 13 birds and 15 nests, some of which already occupied on electricity pylons outside Hammamet on 05 th, 4 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 50+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 500+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Grey-Lag Geese Greylag Goose Anser anser 25+ at Lac ichkeul on 06 th. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 100+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 3+ at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 50+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Gadwall Anas strepera 1+ at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th. Common Teal Anas crecca 1 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 60+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 15+ at Barrage Sidi jedidi on 04 th, 30+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Northern Pintail Anas acuta 2 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 15+ at Barrage Oued Jedidi on 04 th. Common Pochard Aythya ferina C15 at Barrage Oued Rmal and 20+ at Barrage Oued Jedidi on 04 th. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 6+ at Barrage Oued Jedidi on 04 th. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 4 at Barrage Oued Jedidi on 04 th. White-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala 28 at Barrage Oued Jedidi on 04 th. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 3 single birds outside Tebourba and Sidi Othman on 06 th. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginous Marsh Harrier 4 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 2 between Kairouan and Ousserat and 3 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 1 at Djebel Ichkeul on 06 th. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 4 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 1 at Djebel Ichkeul and 1 outside Sidi Othman on 06 th. Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 at Zaghouan on 04 th, 1 at El Djem coliseum and 1 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, 1 on road to Tindje on 06 th. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 1 between Magra and El Fahs on 06 th. Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara 2n at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th and 2 along road from Kairouan to Ousserat on 06 th. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 4 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th. Purple Swamp-hen Porphyrio porphyrio 1 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 4 th. Common Coot Fulica atra 600+ at Barrage Oued Rmal and 40+ at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, c10 at Barrage near Magra and 200+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Common Coots and Greater Flamingos at Lac Ichkeul Common Crane Grus grus 1 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 130+ outside Hammamet and c10 near Kairouan on 05 th. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 80+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 2 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 15+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 40+ at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 5+ at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, 30 at Tebourba and 50+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Little Stint Calidris minuta 100+ at lac Ichkeul o0n 06 th. Dunlin Calidris alpina 30+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 12+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 1 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus 4+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 1+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 at El Djem and 1 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 50+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Lesser black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 3 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 1 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1 at El Djem on 05 th. Little Owl Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Single to double figures on all three days at most places. Maximum 25+ on 05 th between Hammamet and Sousse. Little Owl Athene noctua 2 between Kairouan and Ousserat on 06 th. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th. Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 between Hammamet and Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 2 between Sousse and El Djem and singles between El Djem and Kairouan and at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra 15+ in one field outside Hammamet on 05 th.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata Single to double figures on all days. Maxima 100+ along road from Hammamet to Sousse on 05 th. Crested Lark Sky Lark Alauda arvensis Single to double figures on all days. Maxima 60+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet on 04 th. European Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 5+ at Djebel Ichkeul on 06 th. House Martin Delichon urbicum C10 at Djebel Ichkeul on 06th. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 15+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet and 20+ at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 10+ at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1 outside Hammamet on 05 th. White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4 between Tunis and Zaghouan on 04 th, 4 at Hammamet and 2 at El Djem on 05 th. Garden Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus 6+ at roost in Yasmine Hammamet on 04 th, 1+ at Barrage near Magra on 06 th. European Robin Erithacus rubecula 10+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet; 5+ at Barrage Oued Rmal, 4 at barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 5+ between Hammamet Sousse; 3 at El Djem on 05 th, 15+ between Kairouan and Ousserat and 20+ at Djebel Ichkeul on 06 th. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1 Hammamet on 04 th, 2 between Djebel Ichkeul and Tunis on 06 th. Moussier s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri 2 pairs between Zaghouan and Hammamet and 3 pairs at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 4 at Sebket Kelbia and 2 between Kairouan and Ousserat on 05 th, 6 between Magra and El Fahs and 10+ at Djebel Ichkeul on 06 th. Moussier s Redstart (male)

Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata 2 between Tunis and Zaghouan; 20+ at Barrage Oued Rmal; 3 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 10+ between Hammamet and Sousse; 5+ at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, 10+ between Kairouan and Ousserat and 4 at Barrage near Magra on 06 th. Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura Pair at Barrgae Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 1 between Kairouan and Ousserat on 06 th. Common Blackbird Turdus merula Pair at Tunis near hotel; 4 at Barrage Oued Rmal; 2 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi and 2 at Hammamet on 04 th, 3 between Hammamet Sousse on 05 th, 1 between Kairouan and Ousserat; 1 between Magra and El Fahs and 2 at Djebel Ichkeul on 06 th. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 6 between Kairouan and Ousserat and 40+ between Magra and El Fahs on 06 th. Cetti s Warbler Cettia cetti 1 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th and 1 at Djebel Ichkeul on 06 th. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola cisticola 4+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet on 04 th. Sylvia Warbler (probably Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata) 1 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 4 between Tunis and Zaghouan; 3+ at Barrage Oued Rmal; 5+ at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 4+ at El Djem on 05 th, 2 past Tebouba on 06 th. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th and 30+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Common Chiffchaff Phyllocopus collybita 2 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 2 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, 25+ at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th. Fulvous Babbler Turdoides fulva 8+ between El Djem and Kairouan on 05 th. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor 1 between Magra and El Fahs on 06 th. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 2 between Tunis and Zaghouan; c15 between Zaghouan and Hammamet; 2 at Barrage Sidi Jedidi on 04 th, 7 between Hammamet and Sousse; 4 Sousse El Djem; 7+ El Djem Kairouan; 2 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, 8+ Kairouan Ousserat; 2 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 1 between Hammamet and Sousse on 05 th. Common Raven Corvus corax 1 between Zaghouan and Hammamet on 04 th. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Double to treble figures on all days. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor 30+ at Roman Aquaduct near Zaghouan on 04 th, 20+ on road from Hammamet to Sousse on 05 th, 12+ Kairouan Ousserat on 06 th. Spanish Sparrow Passer hyspaniolensis Present in all localities in single and double figures. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 1+ at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 20+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet on 04 th, 5+ El Djem Kairouan on 05 th, 15+ Kairouan- Ousserat; 30+ between Magra and El Fahs on 06 th. European Serin Serinus serinus 30+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet on 04 th, 20+ at El Djem; 8+ El Djem Kairouan; 20+ at Sebkeht Kelbia on 05 th, 5+ Kairouan Ousserat; 40+ between Magra and El Fahs on 06 th. European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris C10 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 5 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis C15 at barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 4 El Djem Kairouan; 10+ at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th. Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina C20 between Zaghouan and Hammamet; c20 at Barrage Oued Rmal on 04 th, 10+ Kairouan Ousserat; 5+ between Magra and El Fahs on 06 th. Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 4 males singing between Tunis and Zaghouan; 5+ between Zaghouan and Hammamet on 04 th, 11 singing males on road Hammamet Sousse; 2 El Djem Kairouan and 4 at Sebkhet Kelbia on 05 th, 15+ Kairouan Ousserat; 2 at Barrage near Magra and 4 at Lac Ichkeul on 06 th.