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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 Ciuf de mlaștină. It is regularly spotted around the campsite at Moulay Bousselham. Other birds you can observe are Erete de stuf, Șoim călător, herons, ibises, plovers, egrets and and rare gulls such as Pescăruș rozalb and Pescăruș mediteranean. Winter visitors include Călifar roșu, Călifar alb, Rață fluierătoare, Rață lingurar, Rață porumbacă, Flamingo roz, Ciocîntors, Sitar de mal, Sitar de mal nordic, Culic mic, Culic mare, Fugaci de țărm, Prundăraș de sărătură, Prundăraș gulerat mare and Ploier argintiu.
The area around the lake supports species such as Turturică, Ciocârlan, Presură sură. In the south there is a large colony of Ciovlică ruginie.
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.