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Merja Zerga

Rabat-Salé-Kénitra  >  Morocco

This tidal lagoon on the Atlantic coast is one of Morocco's prime birdwatching sites. The intertidal mudflats, marshes and reedbeds attract thousands of birds.

Aggiunto* da Stephanie Cupa
Ultimo aggiornamento 6 luglio 2024

Descrizione

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 Gufo di palude africano. It is regularly spotted around the campsite at Moulay Bousselham. Other birds you can observe are Falco di palude, Falco pellegrino, herons, ibises, plovers, egrets and and rare gulls such as Gabbiano roseo and Gabbiano corso. Winter visitors include Casarca, Volpoca, Fischione, Mestolone, Anatra marmorizzata, Fenicottero, Avocetta, Pittima reale, Pittima minore, Chiurlo piccolo, Chiurlo maggiore, Piovanello pancianera, Fratino, Corriere grosso and Pivieressa.

The area around the lake supports species such as Tortora selvatica, Cappellaccia, Strillozzo. In the south there is a large colony of Pernice di mare.

Dettagli

Accesso

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.

Terreno e habitat

Zona umida , Mare , Lago , Spiaggia , Velme , Dune , Canneti

Caratteristiche dell’area

Terreno piano , Sabbioso , Paesaggio aperto , Paludoso , Acqua alta possibile , Non ombreggiato

Percorso ad anello

No

È utile un cannocchiale?

Può essere utile

Buona stagione per il BW

Tutto l'anno

Miglior periodo per visitare

Migrazione primaverile , Migrazione autunnale

Percorso

Strada asfaltata

Grado di difficoltà del percorso a piedi

Facile

Modalità di accesso

A piedi , Bicicletta , Macchina , Barca

Capanno/torretta di osservazione

No

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Mappa

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