Alauda (Dijon, 2000) El Hamoumi
De Wicri Maroc
Composition et phénologie du peuplement d'oiseaux d'eau du complexe lagunaire de Sidi Moussa-Walidia (Maroc) : Son importance nationale et internationale
Abstract
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- Regular censuses of the Sidi Mousses-Walidia wetland complex from March 1994 to February 1996, supported by bibliographic research, have allowed us to study the water birds of this West Moroccan wetland. Out of 114 species recorded for the site, 63 of which were encountered during the study, 22 are regarded as vagrants. Trans-Saharan migrants, most of which can be recorded in small numbers all over the year, form the most important phenological group which includes all waders. Overwintering species (mostly ducks) are less numerous and only 5 sedentary species are present. Seven species bred during the study (Ciconia ciconia, Fulica atra, Gallinula chloropus, Himantopus himantopus, Charadrius alexandrinus, Sterna albifrons and Glareola pratincola), three other species breed occasionally (Tachybaptus ruficollis, Marmaronetta angustirostris and Rallus aquaticus). Maximum numbers and species diversity were recorded during the autumn migration in OctoberNovember (49-52 species, max: 16000 birds), those parameters were at their lowest in June-July (22-30 species, max: 3 000 birds). Waders are the most abundant taxonomical group (77% of birds recorded) as well as the most diverse (41 species in total, 26 recorded during the study), the most abundant species are Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Black tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus). Gulls form the second most important group with 22 species (11 during the study) and 11.4% of recorded numbers the most abundant representatives being Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) and Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii), with notable numbers of Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus). Ducks come third with 19 species (11 during the study) and 7.7% of recorded numbers, Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) and Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) being the most abundant, with Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris) present in remarkable numbers for the species. Other families (Podicepididae, Ardeidae, Rallidae…) have been recorded (24 species, 15 during the survey) in small numbers, except for coots (Fulica atra). With a yearly average of over 10 000 birds, Sidi Moussa-Walidia is the third most important wetland for overwintering waders in Morocco, as well as an important stopover site on the East Atlantic migration route. It is also the 11th most important site for overwintering Anatidae. Finally the site satisfies three selection criteria of the Ramsar Convention (2a, 2b and 3b), which confirms its international importance.
