We drove along the sandy coastline stopping here and there to check out various wadis and to put up the scope on some smaller gullies and streams beyond Safi. Quite a ot of commoner birds were about but nothing of any real significance was seen apart from White Stork, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel and Grey Plover.

The cliffs before Safi were our destination for Lanner falcon. It was still early morning and we decided to prepare breakfast nearby as we had already been on the go for four hours. We prepared breakfast on the camping stove of eggs, local bread and then had coffee. A Yellow Wagtail chased insects nearby and we saw Rock Dove land on the clif face. Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls flew up and down the rocky coast as we enjoyed our food. What a lovely place to stop.

We scanned the cliff ledges and nooks and crannies before setting up the scope. Immediately we saw a lone male falcon sitting on a small ledge and with the aid of the scope we confirmed it was indeed a Lanner Falcon of the north African or Moroccan race (Falco erlangeri).

Enjoying great views of this beautiful bird we studied it for a while and then to our surprise it was joined by another male! We watched them as the sun came up further and warmed the cliff face.

Typical Lanner head pattern seen from both sides on both birds. Lanner has also quite a slim body when compared to Peregrene or Barbary Falcon.

The face pattern can be seen quite clearly here, with typical Lanner pointed moustache and straight line through the eye. The tail usually has a pale tip and although quite long is rather narrow. The wings are long almost reaching to the base of the tail when perched.

We had stayed quite a while at this wonderful site and decided to have a last look around before we pushed northwards.

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