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Description
Merja Zerga (also called the Moulay Bousselham Lagoon) is large, coastal lagoon of variable salinity with extensive intertidal mudflats, fringing marshes and reedbeds separated from the sea by a stabilized dune system. It is a a key site on the East Atlantic Flyway and protected by the Ramsar convention. The large tidal lagoon has an average depth of 1.5 metres and is fed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Oued Drader, a freshwater stream. The area's annual rainfall (600–700 mm) results in winter floods that inundate the surrounding areas.
More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the lagoon. Between 15,000 and 30,000 ducks overwinter at the lagoon, and it regularly holds 50,000 to 100,000 waders. One of the very special birds that can be spotted here is the Marsh Owl. It is regularly spotted around the campsite at Moulay Bousselham. Other birds you can observe are Western Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, herons, ibises, plovers, egrets and and rare gulls such as Slender-billed Gull and Audouin's Gull. Winter visitors include Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Marbled Teal, Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Kentish Plover, Common Ringed Plover and Grey Plover.
The area around the lake supports species such as European Turtle Dove, Crested Lark, Corn Bunting. In the south there is a large colony of Collared Pratincole.
Details
Access
Merja Zerga lies midway between Tangier and Rabat, 70 km north of the city of Kenitra on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, near the village of Moulay Bousselham. If you don't have your own transport you can get to Merja Zerga from Kenitra. Go to a grand taxi station and arrange transport for a day trip. The village of Moulay Bousselham is at the northern end of the lagoon but the best birding tends to be in the south. With your own transport you can drive around the lagoon. Another nice option to explore the lagoon with a boat trip. Merja Zerga boat trips are easily arranged with the local fisherman if you wander down to the small port of of Moulay Bousselham where boats are moored. Expect to pay about € 25 per hour for the boat.