Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8, 1285-1300 2025 Publisher: Learning Gate DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate History: Received: 19 June 2025; Revised: 5 August 2025; Accepted: 8 August 2025; Published: 22 August 2025 * Correspondence: ayoub.elissaoui@usmba.ac.ma Ornithological importance and phenological status of the avifauna population of the Idriss 1st dam in semi-arid climate Morocco Ayoub EL ISSAOUI1*, Mouhcine AJDI1, Abderrahim BOUHADDIOUI1, Jamila BAHHOU1 1Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University. Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Conservation and Valorisation of Natural Resources. BP: 1796 Fez-Atlas. Fez-Morocco; ayoub.elissaoui@usmba.ac.ma (A.E.I.) mouhcine.ajdi@usmba.ac.ma (M.A.) bouhadiwi@gmail.com (A.B.) jamila.bahhou@usmba.ac.ma (J.B.) Abstract: This study evaluates the ornithological diversity and phenological status of bird species at Idriss I Dam, located 21 km northeast of Fez, Morocco. From 2022 to 2024, avifaunal monitoring was conducted on a monthly to bimonthly basis, accounting for both seasonal and interannual variations. Observation points were selected based on water-level fluctuations, and bird counts were carried out using 12×50 binoculars and a Nikon P1000 camera. The avifaunal structure was analyzed using ecological indices, including total abundance, species richness, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index. Seventy-eight waterbird species from 21 families were recorded, with Anatidae (20%) and Scolopacidae (15%) being the most represented, followed by Ardeidae (11%) and Laridae (9%). Diversity indices indicated high species richness, with Shannon index values ranging from 2.83 to 3.02 bits per individual, confirming the site’s importance as a wintering, resting, and breeding habitat. Seven dominant species were identified: black-headed gull, mallard, green-winged teal, common crane, great cormorant, northern shoveler, and ruddy shelduck. Occasional records of endangered or vulnerable species, such as the Egyptian vulture and common pochard, were also documented. Principal Component Analysis revealed three main phenological phases: post-nuptial migration, wintering, and pre-nuptial migration, underscoring the site’s ecological significance and supporting its potential designation as a Ramsar site. Keywords: Biodiversity, Bird population, Idriss 1st Dam, Morocco, Phenological status. 1. Introduction Wetlands are ecosystems that play an irreplaceable role in regulating the climate, maintaining hydrological cycles, conserving biodiversity and safeguarding human well-being [1]. They provide a multitude of ecosystem services, including flood regulation, water purification, carbon storage and habitats for a diverse range of wildlife, particularly waterbirds [2]. These species depend on wetlands throughout their life cycle, whether for breeding, feeding or as resting sites during their migrations [3, 4]. These ecosystems are crucial for migratory species, some of which are threatened or in decline, making wetlands vital refuges for their conservation [5]. In recent decades, a significant proportion of wetlands have been lost or degraded as a result of urbanisation, intensive agriculture and, in particular, the effects of climate change [5-7]. This phenomenon has a direct impact on avifauna, whose migratory behaviour and phenology are disrupted [8-10]. The phenology of migratory birds, which includes the timing of their migration and their reproductive behaviour, is thus affected by changes in climatic conditions [11, 12] which call for in- depth research. In Morocco, the situation of wetlands is of particular concern. The country is home to around 300 wetlands, both natural and artificial, spread between the Mediterranean coast in the north and the Saharan areas in the south [13]. Of these, 38 are classified as RAMSAR sites due to their specific and ornithological richness. Because of Morocco's strategic geographical position, these wetlands provide https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7547-2990 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8918-3282 1286 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate crucial winter stopovers for many migratory species, serving as a refuge for birds from Europe and tropical Africa. However, these ecosystems are now under threat, with a significant impact on the species that depend on them [14, 15]. In view of this situation, it is becoming essential to monitor changes in the phenology of waterfowl, particularly in continental wetlands with a semi-arid climate, such as the Idriss I dam. This dam, which is located some thirty kilometres from Fez and plays a key role in energy production and irrigation in the Gharb Plain, has already been the subject of winter censuses [16, 17] but without any study of the phenological dynamics of its avifauna. In response to this situation, our research topic is part of a monthly monitoring programme over three consecutive years (2022–2024) involving waterbirds censuses, the main objective of which is to determine their phenological behaviour as a function of environmental factors. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Presentation of the Study Site The ldriss First Dam is located 21 km NE of the city of Fez in the Inaouen river watershed which covers an area of 3600 km2. It was flooded in 1973 from the Inaouène river which is a tributary of the Sebou river (Figure 1). Its capacity is 1186 Mm³ over an area of approximately 18000 hectares at the normal coast of 217 NGM. Since 1992, this dam has also received approximately 600 Mm3.year-1 of water from the upper Sebou from the Allal El Fassi dam via the Matmata gallery, taking advantage of the topographical difference in altitude for the production of electricity [17]. The prevailing climate is semi-arid with annual rainfall varying between 400 mm and 600 mm and an average minimum temperature of 10°C and maximum of 25°C. Figure 1. Geographical and morphological situation of the Idriss 1st dam. 1287 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate The geomorphology indicates two types of substratum, the first on the right bank desolate and poor in vegetation, the second on the left bank where agricultural activities dominate with the sowing of cereals, legumes and the marshes irrigated by the waters of the dam where develop with the water level. 2.2. Bird Census For the phenological monitoring of the avifauna of the Idriss First Dam, census campaigns were carried out from January 2022 to August 2024 at a regular bimonthly to monthly frequency depending on the nesting, migration and/or wintering periods. Several observation points are chosen on the left bank of the dam, point 1 is considered the most representative of the effective point of view mainly for waders (Figure 1). During the study period, the dam experienced fluctuations in the water level due to the drought that prevailed during this period. The direct counting method used is that of Lamotte and Bourlière [18] which consists of an individual count when the group does not exceed 200 individuals or the subdivision of the visual field into equal bands when the group is greater than 200 individuals. The census is based on the visual counting of birds by two observers using binoculars (12×50) and a high-magnification camera (Nikon Coolpix P1000). Various ornithological guides were used for species identification, including the Ornitho guide, Birds of Morocco and African East Atlantic flyway guide [19-21]. 2.3. Structure of the Bird Population The structure of the stands in the study area was assessed using various ecological indices that reflect the balance of the stands: total abundance, species richness, diversity index of Shannon and Weaver [22]. The Shannon index was calculated using the following formula: H'= -∑ (ni/ N) x Log2 (ni/N) Where: N = Sum of the numbers of all species ni = Population size of species i The results are expressed in Bits/individual. 2.4. Correspondence Factorial Analysis During the census, the multivariate statistical method PCA was used to analyse annual variations in waterbird species in the study site and to establish a correlation between the presence of bird species (observed variables) and observations (census dates). Table I shows the number given to each observation and the code used for each waterbird species in this analysis. 1288 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Table 1. Observations numbers and species codes used in PCA. Observations numbers Species codes 1 17/01/2022 21 31/07/2023 Ac-hy Actitis hypoleucos Li-la Limosa lapponica 2 19/02/2022 22 19/08/2023 An-cr Anas crecca Li-li Limosa limosa 3 24/02/2022 23 10/09/2023 An-pl Anas platyrhynchos Ma-st Mareca strepera 4 29/03/2022 24 19/10/2023 Ar-ci Ardea cinerea Ph-pu Philomachus pugnax 5 18/04/2022 25 21/10/2023 Ay-fe Aythya ferina Ph-ca Phalacrocorax carbo 6 15/05/2022 26 28/10/2023 Ca-al Calidris alpina Ph-ro Phoenicopterus roseus 7 16/06/2022 27 19/11/2023 Ca-fe Calidris ferruginea Pl-le Platalea leucorodia 8 20/07/2022 28 10/12/2023 Ca-mi Calidris minuta Po-cr Podiceps cristatus 9 19/08/2022 29 01/01/2024 Ca-te Calidris temminckii Re-av Recurvirostra avosetta 10 17/09/2022 30 15/01/2024 Ch-al Charadrius alexandrinus Sp-cl Spatula clypeata 11 14/10/2022 31 17/02/2024 Ch-du Charadrius dubius St-al Sternula albifrons 12 15/11/2022 32 19/03/2024 Ch-hi Charadrius hiaticula Ta-ru Tachybaptus ruficollis 13 17/12/2022 33 20/04/2024 Ch-ri Chroicocephalus ridibundus Ta-fe Tadorna ferruginea 14 01/01/2023 34 18/05/2024 Ci-ci Ciconia ciconia Ta-ta Tadorna tadorna 15 15/01/2023 35 21/06/2024 Eg-ga Egretta garzetta Tr-gl Tringa glareola 16 19/02/2023 36 30/06/2024 Fu-at Fulica atra Tr-ne Tringa nebularia 17 15/03/2023 37 13/07/2024 Ge-ni Gelochelidon nilotica 18 16/04/2023 38 27/07/2024 Hi-hi Himantopus himantopus 19 19/05/2023 39 31/08/2024 La-mi Larus michahellis 20 15/06/2023 3. Results 3.1. Specific Composition of the Bird Population Monthly monitoring of avifauna at the Idriss 1st Dam over the three-year study period (2022–2024) identified 78 species of waterbirds across 21 families. The Anatidae and Scolopacidae families were the most abundant, comprising 22% and 14% of the surveyed species, respectively, followed by Ardeidae at 10% and Laridae at 9%. The species richness within these families accounted for a significant proportion of the nationally reported species counts: 82.60% for Scolopacidae, 80% for Ardeidae, 66.66% for Charadriidae, 47.61% for Anatidae, and 44.44% for Rallidae. Census data also recorded the presence of internationally significant species, including the Egyptian vulture (endangered), the common pochard (vulnerable), as well as marbled teal, bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, red knot, eurasian oystercatcher, ruddy turnstone and curlew sandpiper (near threatened) (Table II). Additionally, coastal-origin species were present at the site, such as the oystercatcher, ruddy turnstone, whimbrel, sanderling, great ringed plover, black-backed gull, and yellow-legged gull (Table 2). 1289 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Table 2. List of bird species with their phenological and conservation status in the study site during the three-year monitoring (2022 to 2024). * Species with important conservation status; ** Species of coastal origin; Phenological status: (RB: Resident breeder, WV: Winter visitor, PM: Passage migrant, BM Breeding migrant, OB: Occasional Breeder; PAV: Palearctic Accidental Visitor) and IUCN conservation status (EN: Endangered, LC: Least Concern, NT: Near Threatened). Orders Families Common names Scientific names Phenological status Conservation status 2022 2023 2024 Total Percentage A n se ri fo rm e s A n at id a e Pintail Anas acuta Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM; OB LC 0 5 0 5 0.01% Northern shoveler Spatula clypeata Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM; OB LC 554 1286 535 2375 5.22% Winter teal Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM LC 893 2837 1090 4820 10.59% Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV LC 2468 2960 661 6089 13.38% Garganey Spatula querquedula Linnaeus, 1758 PM; OW LC 2 6 0 8 0.02% Gadwall Mareca strepera Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM; OB LC 607 1135 233 1975 4.34% Common pochard* Aythya ferina Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM; OB VU 217 385 25 627 1.38% Ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Pallas, 1764 RB LC 842 1158 356 2356 5.18% Common shelduck Tadorna tadorna Linnaeus, 1758 WV LC 123 198 100 421 0.92% Marbled teal * Marmaronetta angustirostris Ménétries, 1832 RB; WV; PM NT 8 3 0 11 0.02% Total 5714 9973 3000 18687 41.05% C ic o n ii fo rm e s A rd e id a e Great egret Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM LC 0 1 0 1 0.01% Grey heron Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV; OB LC 202 147 41 390 0.86% Purple heron Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766 PM; BM; OW LC 0 0 6 6 0.01% Black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax Linnaeus, 1758 PM; BM; WV LC 0 0 12 12 0.03% Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Linnaeus, 1758 RB; PM; WV LC 230 155 77 462 1.01% Little egret Egretta garzetta Linnaeus, 1766 RB; PM; WV LC 82 160 63 305 0.67% Squacco heron Ardeola ralloides Scopoli, 1769 BM; RB? PM; W LC 2 1 5 8 0.02% Total 516 464 204 1184 2.60% Ciconiidae White stork Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758 PM; BM; WV LC 78 362 80 520 1.14% Total 78 362 80 520 1.14% Phoenicopter idae Great flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Pallas, 1811 PM; WV; RB LC 457 635 283 1375 3.02% Total 457 635 283 1375 3.02% Threskiornit hidae Eurasian spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV; RB LC 356 405 303 1064 2.34% Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus Linnaeus, 1766 PM; WV; OB LC 6 1 7 14 0.03% Total 362 406 310 1078 2.37% G ru if o rm e s Gruidae Common crane Grus grus WV LC 1620 1660 1086 4366 9.9% Total 1620 1660 1086 4366 9.59% R a ll id a e Coot Fulica spp 29 69 12 110 0.24% Eurasian coot Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV LC 96 70 114 280 0.62% Wattled coot Fulica cristata Gmelin, 1789 RB LC 0 5 0 5 0.01% Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV LC 0 0 39 39 0.09% Western swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Linnaeus, 1758 WV; PM; OB LC 0 0 2 2 <0.01% Total 125 144 167 436 1.02% C h a r a d r i i f o r m e s L a r i d a e Black tern Chlidonias niger Linnaeus, 1758 PM LC 1 0 18 19 0.04% 1290 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Whiskered tern Chlidonias hybrida Pallas, 1811 PM; WV; OB LC 9 0 2 11 0.02% Caspian tern ** Hydroprogne caspia Pallas, 1770 PM; WV LC 1 1 0 2 <0.01% Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica Gmelin, 1789 PM LC 33 6 38 77 0.17% Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Linnaeus, 1766 WV; PM; RB LC 2503 2765 1206 6474 14.22% Little tern Sternula albifrons Pallas, 1764 BM; PM; OW LC 6 20 50 76 0.17% Black-backed gull** Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 0 0 0 8 0.02% Yellow-legged gull** Larus michahellis Naumann, 1840 RB; WV LC 1 3 4 14 0.03% Total 2554 2795 1318 6681 14.67% S co lo p a c id a e Sandpipers Calidris spp 95 36 4 135 0.30% Sanderling** Calidris alba Pallas, 1764 PM; WV LC 20 19 20 59 0.13% Dunlin Calidris alpina Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 108 162 54 324 0.71% Red knot* Calidris canutus Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV NT 0 8 4 12 0.03% Curlew sandpiper* Calidris ferruginea Pontoppidan, 1763 PM, WV NT 64 75 11 150 0.33% Purple sandpiper** Calidris maritima Brünnich, 1764 PAV LC 0 0 0 1 <0.01% Little stint Calidris minuta Leisler, 1812 PM; WV LC 67 85 34 186 0.41% Temminck's stint Calidris temminckii Leisler, 1812 PM; WV LC 33 68 32 133 0.29% Shanks Tringa spp 14 30 9 53 0.12% Spotted redshank Tringa erythropus Pallas, 1764 PM; WV LC 6 2 3 11 0.02% Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 79 46 34 159 0.35% Greenshank Tringa nebularia Gunnerus, 1767 PM; WV LC 54 117 25 196 0.43% Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 2 24 8 34 0.07% Common redshank Tringa totanus Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV; OB LC 25 14 1 40 0.09% Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 88 164 31 283 0.62% Common snipe Gallinago gallinago Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 7 10 6 23 0.05% Ruff Calidris pugnax Linnaeus, 1758 PM LC 101 231 84 416 0.91% Bar-tailed godwit* Limosa lapponica Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV NT 52 59 14 125 0.27% Black-tailed godwit* Limosa limosa Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV NT 115 92 44 251 0.55% Whimbrel** Numenius phaeopus Linnaeus, 1758 PM LC 0 1 0 2 <0.01% Ruddy turnstone** Arenaria interpres Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV NT 0 1 0 1 <0.01% Total 930 1244 418 2594 5.69% C h a ra d ri id a e Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus, 1758 RB; PM; WV LC 165 115 45 325 0.71% Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius Scopoli, 1786 RB; PM; WV LC 574 369 54 997 2.19% Common ringed plover** Charadrius hiaticula Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 115 65 8 188 0.41% Grey plover** Pluvialis squatarola Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV LC 1 0 0 2 <0.01% Total 855 549 107 1512 3.32% C h a ra d ri if o rm e s Glareolidae Collared pratincole Glareola pratincole Linnaeus, 1758 PM; BM; OW LC 286 105 0 391 0.86% Total 286 105 0 391 0.86% Haematopodi dae Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV NT 0 1 0 1 <0.01% Total 0 1 0 1 <0.01% 1291 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Recurvir ostridae Black winged stilt Himantopus Himantopus Linnaeus, 1758 BM/RB; PM; WV LC 503 356 128 987 2.17% Elegant avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV; OB LC 622 597 150 1369 3.01% Total 1125 953 278 2356 5.18% Pelecaniformes Phalacrocora cidae Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Linnaeus, 1758 WV LC 441 853 1848 3142 6.90% Total 441 853 1848 3142 6.90% P o d ic ip ed if o rm es P o d ic ip ed id ae Great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV LC 7 119 72 198 0.43% Black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollis Brehm, 1831 RB LC 4 14 32 50 0.11% Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Pallas, 1764 RB LC 189 92 27 308 0.68% Total 200 225 131 556 1.22% Pandioniformes Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus Linnaeus, 1758 PM; WV; RB LC 1 1 0 2 <0.01% Total 1 1 0 2 <0.01% F al co n if o rm es A cc ip it r id ae Egyptian vulture Nephron percnopterus Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV; PM EN 0 0 1 1 <0.01% Marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV; PM LC 14 15 9 38 0.08% Booted eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Gmelin, 1788 RB LC 0 2 2 4 0.01% Total 14 17 12 38 0.08% Falconid Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771 RB LC 0 1 0 1 <0.01% Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 RB LC 2 1 2 5 0.01% Total 2 2 2 6 0.01% Burhiniformes Burhinidae Stone curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Linnaeus, 1758 RB; WV; PM LC 12 16 9 37 0.08% Total 12 16 9 37 0.08% Pteroclidiformes Pteroclidae Black-bellied sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis Linnaeus, 1758 RB LC 0 58 0 58 0.13% Total 0 58 0 58 0.13% P as se ri fo rm es M o ta ci ll id ae White wagtail alba Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758 WV; RB; PM LC 85 67 35 187 0.41% White Wagtail supersonata Motacilla alba subpersonata Meade- Waldo, 1901 RB LC 34 11 6 51 0.11% Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 177 PM; RB; WV LC 61 76 18 155 0.34% Western yellow wagtail Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 1758 PM; BM/RB; WV LC 33 53 18 104 0.23% Total 213 207 77 497 1.09% TOTAL 1550 3 2063 9 9330 45472 100% 1292 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate The Shannon-Weaver diversity index yielded values of 3.02 bits per individual in 2022, 2.96 bits per individual in 2023, and 2.83 bits per individual in 2024. This indicates that species are evenly distributed, though some degree of dominance by certain species may still exist. Such a range reflects a balanced level of diversity, often associated with a stable and healthy ecosystem. These results indicate that the study site supports significant avian diversity, facilitated by favourable environmental conditions that attract a wide variety of bird species. Furthermore, the study revealed that the observed and recorded species belong to different phenological categories, including winterers, summer visitors, migrants, breeders, and non-breeders, which can be described as follows: 3.1.1. Migratory, Wintering and Summering This category includes species that are present on the site year-round but do not breed there. Examples of such species are the white spoonbill, greater flamingo, little egret, grey heron, and little ringed plover. 3.1.2. Migratory and Wintering These species are absent during the summer months and are typically present in autumn, winter, and spring. Notable species in this group include the green-winged teal, northern shoveler, black- headed gull, greenshank, avocet, and ruff. 3.1.3. Strict Winterers Strict winterers are species observed exclusively during the winter season. Examples include the common crane, great cormorant, elegant avocet, and common shelduck. 3.1.4. Migratory Nesters These are breeding summer visitors that have been observed only during the summer. This is the case for the little tern, the Kentish plover and the collared pratincole. 3.1.5. Non-Nesting Summer Visitors This group is similar to the previous group, except that they do not nest. This is the case for the gull-billed tern, the whiskered tern and the black tern. 3.1.6. Sedentary, Migratory and Wintering Nesters In this category, it was noted that these species are present all year round. But unlike the first group, they reproduce in the site where they present a population to which are most probably added passing migrants and wintering birds, this is the case of the mallard, the ruddy shelduck and the black- winged stilt. 3.1.7. Strict Migrants These are species that have been observed during postnuptial migration from July to October and prenuptial migration from March to May. This is the case of the dunlin, Temminck's sandpiper, curlew sandpiper, common sandpiper and wood sandpiper. 3.2. Interannual Variation in Bird Numbers Ornithological monitoring showed a very significant interannual variation in the number of each species observed during the study period. The highest percentages of the numbers are attributed to the Black-headed gull (14%), the Mallard (13%), the Green-winged Teal (11%), the Common Crane (10%) and the Great Cormorant (7%), the Ruddy Shelduck (5%) and the Northern Shoveler (5%). These seven species alone account for 65% of the total of the bird population (Table II). 1293 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate The other species have much smaller numbers, not exceeding a cumulative percentage of 35%, mainly consisting of waders. Figure 2 shows the annual and interannual monitoring of the numbers of the main species observed during the study period. 3.2.1. Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Gmelin, 1789 The first individuals of this species are observed at the end of July each year, a period that corresponds to the beginning of the postnuptial migration until March-April, the period of the beginning of the prenuptial migration. This result shows that it is a species that winters at the site. The highest number is recorded during the winter season and can exceed 700 individuals (Figure 2a). During the breeding season, a few individuals in nuptial plumage were observed, but no nesting was recorded at the site. 3.2.2. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 The mallard is present all year round with a significant variation in numbers. It increases during the post-nuptial migration to reach 410 individuals in January 2024 and decreases to 40 individuals during the pre-nuptial migration (Figure 2b). Its continuous presence indicates that the population of this species is composed of two types of populations: a partial migratory one that migrates during the breeding season and another sedentary one that nests at the site. 3.2.3. Winter teal Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758 Monitoring of this species shows that it is present between the two migration periods with more or less significant numbers. A maximum of 830 individuals is recorded in December 2023 (Figure 2c). This typical wintering species disappears completely from the site during the summer. 3.2.4. Common Crane Grus grus Linnaeus, 1758 Common cranes are regularly present from November to April. The largest number of 700 individuals is noted in January 2023 (Figure 2d). This is a species that winters at the site. The presence of this species on the site is favoured by the suitable conditions prevailing in the environment: the marshy aspect upstream of the dam offers a safety perimeter against predators and human disturbance. Similarly, the presence of land with high agricultural potential offers the species the food necessary to survive during the winter period. 3.2.5. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax Carbo Linnaeus, 1758 The great cormorant is present from October to March each year. The largest number is 820 individuals recorded in March 2024 (Figure 2e). This massive presence can be explained by the abundance of fish fauna in the site offering food sources to these divers who organize themselves to carry out collective fishing operations in order to fatten up even more before the big return to the North. 3.2.6. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna Ferruginea Pallas, 1764 Like the mallard, monitoring of the ruddy shelduck shows that it is present at the site throughout the study period with a population that can reach 290 individuals in August 2024. It is a sedentary breeding species with an irregular population (Figure 2f). This species is dominant in the natural lakes of the Middle Atlas. After the latter dried up, it migrated to the reservoirs of dams to seek favourable habitat and food conditions for its settlement. 3.2.7. Northern Shoveler Spatula Clypeata Linnaeus, 1758 It is a wintering duck at the site level. The numbers are much higher during the year 2023, where the maximum of 390 individuals is recorded in December 2023 (Figure 2g). This phenological status is 1294 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate similar to that of the green-winged teal, the great cormorant, the common crane, the black-headed gull and the pied avocet. 1295 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Figure 2. Temporal variation in the number of individuals of dominant species. Source: (a) Chroicocephalus ridibundus; (b) Anas platyrhynchos; (c) Anas crecca; (d) Grus grus; (e) Phalacrocorax carbo; (f) Tadorna ferruginea; (g) Anas clypeata. 3.3. Typological Structure of the Bird Population In order to synthesise the results obtained, Principal Component Analysis was used, applied to the different variables to determine the phenological status of bird species of this hydro-system. The data matrix includes 78 species and 39 observations, the latter representing the dates of the outings carried out. The first two axes accumulate 44% of the total inertia. The axis 1 accounts for 29.36% of the total information and the axis 2 with 14.70%. Axis 1 positively selects the group of ducks and large waders (grp1). This group include the mallard, the northern shoveler, the gadwall, the green-winged teal, the greater flamingo and the spoonbill (Figure 3a). It corresponds to a period that extends from November to February of each year (Figure 3b). These are strict wintering species that are present from the beginning of the postnuptial migration to the prenuptial migration. Furthermore, this axis negatively selects the group of terns (grp4). The gull-billed tern, the little tern, the black tern, the whiskered tern and the coot (Figure 3a), represents this group. These are summer species including nesters such as the little tern. It corresponds to a period that extends from March to July (Figure 3b). This presence is noted during all summer observation periods. Axis 2 positively selects the group of sandpipers and the sandpipers (grp3), among the species found, the leach's sandpiper, the curlew sandpiper, and the kentish plover (Figure 3a). It corresponds to a period that extends from July to November (Figure 3b). It represents two migration periods, the first is a mixture of early and delayed postnuptial migration, the second is a delayed prenuptial migration. 1296 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Axis 2 negatively selects the group of pochard and common crane (grp5), among these species we find the common crane, the shelduck, the pochard and the little grebe (Figure 3a). It corresponds to a period that extends from December to March (Figure 3b). It is the duration of the winter presence for late migrants. On the other hand, the two axes positively select another group of sandpipers and snipes (grp2), they include the dunlin, Temminck's sandpiper, little sandpiper, ruff, greenshank and white stork (Figure 3a). They correspond to a period that extends from August to October (Figure 3b). It represents the postnuptial migration period. Furthermore, the observation graph allows us to find the broad outlines of the phenological succession of the avifauna of the studied site. It allows a good interpretation of this succession which follows a well-defined orientation, passing from the summer period, then by a postnuptial migration, then by a wintering period and finally by a prenuptial migration. Figure 3. Principal component analysis of the bird population of the Idriss 1st dam. Note: (a) Observed variables on factorial plan 1-2, (b) Observations on factorial plan 1-2. 4. Discussion This study, which aims to highlight the importance of the Idriss 1st dam as a wintering, stopover and nesting site for sedentary and migratory Afro-Palearctic birds, provided recent and detailed data on the avifauna populations frequenting this dam lake. The results obtained made it possible to identify, during three years of census study, 78 species of waterbirds belonging to 21 families. The avifauna is mainly dominated by two families of waders (22%), namely, the Scolopacidae and the Charadriidae, the Anatidae (16%), such as the mallard, the green-winged teal and the ruddy shelduck as well as the Laridae (10%), such as the black-headed gull. In 2023, the Idriss 1st dam recorded the highest number of individuals, with 20639, followed by 2022 with 15509. Finally, 2024 recorded the lowest count, with 9350 individuals, as the count was conducted only until August 2024. Furthermore, the analysis of avian communities based on specific richness did not reveal any notable differences between the different years of study, which indicate the phenological stability of the site. These results show the infrastructure of the Idriss 1st dam lake constitutes a panoply of species between passing migrants, winterers, sedentary and summer visitors. This ornithological diversity is due to the exceptional characteristics of the site, offering a suitable habitat for sedentary birds, a migratory stopover for migrants and a source of fattening for winterers. Habitat quality is recognised 1297 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate for its impact on population trends of sedentary and migratory waterbirds [23, 24]. This perspective operates under the assumption that the abundance of waterbirds serves as an indicator of habitat quality. However, this is not always accurate [25] the abundance of waterbirds at staging areas is generally linked to food supply levels [24]. This later encourages the presence of other species groups, illustrated by mammals like the European otter (personal observation). As a result, when compared to other aquatic systems in Morocco and North Africa, the number of waterbird species (S = 78) is higher than that of other wetlands. For example, the Smir wetland complex in northern Morocco had 58 species during the 2005–2009 seasons [26] 47 species are reported in Morocco's north-central region [16] while the Midelt region's reservoirs and lakes, which are situated on the southern borders of the Middle Atlas, are home to 24 species [27] and 93 species of waterbirds have been found in the two Mediterranean coastal wetlands in the Martil plain (Tangier-Tetouan Region, Northern Morocco) [28] indicating that this number surpasses our findings. In Algeria, there are 68 species in Batna region [29] 62 species at Gareat Hadj-Taher (Skikda province) [30] 59 species at Lake Beni Belaid and El Kennar Marsh (Jijel province) during the fourteen-year period (2008–2021) [31] 53 species were discovered at Kef Doukhane (Ghardaïa, Algerian Sahara) between November 2017 and October 2019 [32] and 52 in the central Algerian wetlands [33]. In Tunisia, 41 wetlands together support 73 species [34] and 34 species with waders dominating in the southern Tunisian wetlands of Douz [35]. The PCA form groups that move towards the lake following a well-defined chronological cycle that is regularly from one year to the next, mainly for the grey cranes, the mallard, the wintry duck, the shelduck, the great flamingo, the great cormorant and the avocet. The dam lake studied in the present work is also home to species of heritage interest such as the ruddy shelduck, the white spoonbill, the glossy ibis, the black-crowned night heron and the squacco heron, as well as other emblematic species, including the white stork, and other species considered globally vulnerable, such as the marbled teal and the black-tailed godwit, the bar-tailed godwit and the common pochard. We also recorded the presence of several species of coastal origin, including the oystercatcher, ruddy turnstone, whimbrel, sanderling, ringed plover, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, and yellow-legged gull. The occurrence of these species inland may be attributed to the degradation of their natural habitats in coastal wetlands [36]. Additionally, the presence of a group of black-bellied sandgrouse, a species typically found in arid bioclimatic zones, was observed. The occurrence of this species at this site may be explained by its inability to tolerate the extreme summer temperatures in arid and desert regions [37] In addition to rare species such as the purple sandpiper, which was observed at our site, this species has been recorded 18 times in Moroccan coastal wetlands. However, this is the first time it has been reported in an inland wetland. The purple sandpiper is a rare visitor from subarctic and arctic regions. Of the 18 known records, nine have been analysed by the Moroccan Records Committee, with sightings primarily distributed across the Strait of Gibraltar and along the Atlantic coast up to Essaouira. The coastline of the Rabat region appears particularly suitable for this species, with five of the sightings documented there [38]. Throughout the non-breeding season, large groups of shorebird species gather on intertidal mudflats within coastal wetlands to actively forage for benthic macrofauna [39-41] especially bivalves in our site study. In spite of the fact that this dam constitutes a continental wetland, it offers fluctuations favoured by the inflows from the Sebou and Inaouene catchment areas, which are exported to irrigate the Ghareb basin and to produce electricity. As a result, it constitutes an important intertidal zone for waders, offering optimal feeding areas. On the other hand, the site offers favourable conditions for the presence of an endangered species which is the Egyptian vulture, as well as another vulnerable one which is the common pochard. The reproduction of the little tern, the collared pratincole, the kentish plover, the ruddy shelduck, the mallard, the coot and the wattled coot, the moorhen, shows the importance of the site as a nesting site. 1298 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 8: 1285-1300, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9595 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate This nesting can be attributed to the abundance of different food sources in the environment [33, 35]. For the little tern, mentioned as nesting in the Moroccan coastal areas by Hanane, et al. [42] is listed in our study in 2023 as a summer visitor. While in 2024, it is listed as a nesting summer visitor. The presence of the endangered Egyptian vulture in the site is due to its proximity to the Allal El Fassi dam, which contains nesting sites for this species (personal observation). It has declined sharply since the 1970s, mainly as a result of poisoning [37]. We note also the presence of Moroccan wagtail, an endemic subspecies native to Northwest Africa, primarily bred in western and northeastern Morocco until the 1960s. Since then, it has expanded its range southward, eastward, and northward [43]. However, ornithological monitoring of this site noted the absence of two species of international importance, the white-headed duck and the ferruginous duck, although these two species were observed in the same site during the winter of 2018 for the white-headed duck and the winters of 2018, 2019 and 2020 for the ferruginous duck [16]. The anthropogenic impact is always observed at the site due to agricultural activities and fishing. This can significantly affect the site's biodiversity and may lead to species extinction [44]. 5. Conclusion The ornithological monitoring carried out at the Idriss 1st dam over three successive years (2022, 2023 and 2024) made it possible to identify 78 species belonging to 22 families, the most abundant of which, in terms of specific richness, are the Anatidae and the Scolopacidae. The diversity calculated using the Shannon index revealed a greater diversity with the presence of species of phenological status of different categories: wintering, breeding, summering and migrating. This allows us to conclude that the study site constitutes a panoply of species between passing migrants, winterers, sedentary and summer visitors, which gives it a status for the conservation and protection of avifauna. In addition, the site hosts bird species with important conservation status, such as the Egyptian vulture (endangered species), the common pochard (vulnerable species), as well as marbled teal, bar- tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, red knot, ruddy turnstone, Eurasian oystercatcher and curlew sandpiper (near threatened species). Species of coastal origin are also recorded on the site, namely the oystercatcher, the ruddy turnstone, the Caspian tern, the whimbrel, the sanderling, the great ringed plover, the black-backed gull and the yellow-legged gull. The fruit of this ornithological work is a reference for biodiversity managers to prioritise and guide conservation efforts in continental aquatic environments in Morocco. Given that the site is home to a near-threatened species of mammal, the European otter (Lutra lutra). Special attention must be given to this dam lake to classify it among the RAMSAR sites of international importance, in particular by validating two criteria; criterion 2: presence of vulnerable species such as the marbled teal, the black- tailed godwit and the common pochard, criterion 5: Numbers exceeding 20000 individuals. Effective wetland management in Morocco’s Idriss 1st dam should incorporate specific adjustments to dam operations to meet the unique environmental requirements and protection needs of waterbird communities. This will ensure that seasonal water levels, vegetation, and food resources are maintained to support biodiversity and sustain this key habitat along the North African migratory route. Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study; that no vital features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as planned have been explained. 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