Western Sahara - Day 6 - Around Dakhla

We had breakfast at 8.00 at Samarkand then we drove out to KM 122 to see if there were any sandgrouse coming into drink. The wet area seemed smaller this year and there was a tanker at the pump with a couple of chaps washing their clothes. We scanned the area for a while and spent some time checking out the Pipits and Yellow Wagtails. There were Tree Pipits and Red-throated Pipits which pottered around the vegetation giving a good chance to compare the plumages. Among the yellow wagtails was a blue-headed and a Spanish type. A large herd of Camels ambled along and formed an orderly queue at the water tank to drink. There was a lot more tanker activity than last year and there was no sign of any sandgrouse.

A walk across to the oasis that was full of birds last year was a disappointment as it was completely dry with just three Cream-coloured Coursers and a Desert Wheatear, so we got a lift back to the wet area where a pair of little-ringed Plovers foraged among the grass, before heading back towards La Sagra. Unfortunately, there was still unrest with the fishermen and we weren’t allowed into the site so we turned around and headed back to the lighthouse to go sea watching, stopping to check out a flock of gulls.

At the lighthouse there was time to scan the sea for Caspian Terns and Bonxies as a picnic lunch with Tuna, bread and salad was set up  and then we spent some more time scanning when a couple of Dolphins swan through my scope view. We spent some time following them and making sure everyone got onto them before we set up a group photo and then returned to Mohammed's house to pack. Some went to the local markets for a last shopping spree and then returned to eat a delicious, traditional meal of couscous and camel with vegetables.  

We were collected at 5.00 in the morning and driven to the airport where we said our thanks and goodbyes to the friendly drivers and Mohammed before checking in and beginning our journey from the 35+ degs to the 0 degs of Gatwick airport, via a short stopover in Casablanca.