Marais do Bouregreg

Rabat > Morocco

Marshy wetlands with small farms and a small patch of pasture. Depending on the rainfall it can have several small ponds.

Added* by Pedro Fernandes
Most recent update 25 January 2023

Description

What is left of the marshes of the Bouregreg, is a small patch that spans from the fortress of Chellah to the bridge Al-Fida. A few canals cut the marshes, which don't usually get flooded by the river. The ponds have small flocks of wintering ducks, and during the summer breeding Mallard , Black-winged Stilt and Little Ringed Plover. Marbled Teal has bred here in recent years. Near Chellah, the vegetation that is used to fence the small farms, a large Cattle Egret colony gathers during Spring. This colony also has important numbers of breeding Glossy Ibis and Black-crowned Night Heron , as well as a few Little Egret . In the bushes and Mastic trees there are African Blue Tit , Common Bulbul , Common Chaffinch and Western Olivaceous Warbler . Eurasian Hobby (during Summer), Sparrowhawk, Western Marsh Harrier and Eurasian Kestrel are regularly seen here, with the occasional visit of Atlas Long-legged Buzzard . Species such as Bonelli's Eagle , Spotted Crake and Olive-backed Pipit have also been seen here.

Details

Access

You can access this site either via Chellah or near the Al-Fida bridge. From the Marjane Bouregreg (near the Al-Fida bridge), there is an entryway to the Eucalyptus patch (34.018874, -6.818534), and from there you can follow a path that will go under the rail tracks and opens into the marshes. The closest tramway station is Pont Hassan II, from there you can walk about 15 minutes to the Eucalyptus patch entrance.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , River , Agriculture , City/village

Conditions

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Winter

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Extra info

The area is known among the locals to be a place where muggings can happen, so be vigilant while visiting the area. Ideally do not go there alone. At times there have been feral dogs in the area, so be prepared for that.

There are plans to develop this stretch of the Bouregreg shore, threatening this site.